Apparatus for dispensing and identifying product in washrooms

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the dispensing of product is provided. The apparatus includes a dispenser that is configured for dispensing product and a sensor in communication with an electrical circuit carried by the dispenser. The sensor is configured for detecting identification information about the product when the electrical circuit is completed by the product. Additional exemplary embodiments are also provided in which the sensor operates through optical detection, smell, physical contact with the product, or vibration instead of or in addition to the completion of an electrical circuit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/015,346 filed on Dec. 17, 2004, entitled “Systemand Method For Measuring, Monitoring and Controlling Washroom Dispensersand Products” whose inventors are Cheryl Lynn York, Joseph Mitchell,Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Ronald Raymond Padak, JamesJoseph Detamore, John Robert Oyler, and James Alexander Winder.Application Ser. No. 11/015,346 is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety for all purposes. Application Ser. No. 11/015,346 is aContinuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/750,238 filed on Dec. 31, 2003 entitled “Dispenser with ElectronicSensing Device to Control Delivered Sheet Length” whose inventors arePaul Francis Tramontina, David W. Kapiloff, Stephen L. Phelps, DarrellR. Johnson, and Gerald L. Clark. Application Ser. No. 10/750,238 isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Washrooms in commercial and residential buildings typically includeproducts such as toilet tissue, paper towels, diapers, feminineproducts, liquid products such as soap, and aerosol products such as airfresheners. These products are typically housed by a dispenser and aredispensed as needed by the user. Currently, janitors or maintenancepersonnel roam the buildings in which they are working to service thewashrooms, or the janitors or maintenance personnel are sent to servicea particular washroom or dispenser after a problem has occurred. Fixingof a problem with the washroom after the fact results in numerous tenantcomplaints and overall dissatisfaction. Additionally, janitorial ormaintenance personnel resources are focused on servicing emergencies andare pulled away from other tasks. Additionally, waste of product is highsince janitors or maintenance personnel tend to change out productsbefore the dispensers are empty in order to avoid running out of theproducts before the janitors or maintenance personnel return to onceagain service the dispensers.

The remote collection and use of real-time information has been found tobe desirable in order to allow for efficient operation of other systemsin commercial and residential properties. For instance, real-timemeasuring, monitoring, and controlling of security systems, firesystems, and heating ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)have been developed in order to provide for safe, productiveenvironments and to maintain occupant satisfaction levels in commercialand residential properties. However, a need in the art exists for asystem and methodology to measure, monitor and control productdispensers and other components of washrooms in order to better managewashrooms so as to prevent product outages, reduce unnecessary waste,increase safety, improve the productivity of janitors and maintenancepersonnel, track washroom usage, monitor washroom inventory, controlproduct dispensers, and facilitate product reorders.

Dispensers that automatically dispense product, such as paper towels,upon detecting the presence of an individual are desirable because theyeliminate the need for the user to physically contact the dispenserhence preventing the spread of germs. These types of dispensers,however, may be disadvantageous in that they dispense at a predeterminedsetting that provides the same amount of sheet material to a userregardless of whether the sheet material is a soft, highly absorbentsheet material, or a sheet material that has a much lower absorbency. Inthese instances, either too much or too little of the sheet materialwill be dispensed to the user in order to dry his or her hands to theuser's satisfaction. Dispensing of too much sheet material will resultin unnecessary wasted product, and dispensing of too little of the sheetmaterial will require the user to once again dispense sheet materialfrom the product possibly resulting in additional waste. Wasted sheetmaterial results in higher costs to maintain the sheet material in thedispenser and causes a greater environmental impact.

Prior dispensers have been designed in order to allow for a change inthe length of the sheet material dispensed by a manual manipulation ofthe dispenser prior to introduction of a new roll of sheet material.However, this type of adjustment requires the janitor or maintenancepersonnel to manually adjust the sheet material length duringreplacement of a roll. Apart from requiring time, effort and expertisefrom the janitor or maintenance personnel, there is the risk of humanerror in the resetting operation.

SUMMARY

Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the following description, or may be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned from practice of the invention.

In one embodiment, an apparatus may be provided for the dispensing ofproduct in washrooms or other locations that allow for a dispensingparameter of a dispenser to be varied without requiring a manualadjustment of the dispenser by a janitor or maintenance personnel.

In accordance with one embodiment, a dispenser configured for thedispensing of product may be provided. A dispenser sensor unit may beplaced in communication with the dispenser and may be configured fordetecting information about the product. The dispenser sensor unit maybe configured for varying a dispensing parameter of the dispenser. Adata communications unit may be placed in communication with thedispenser sensor unit and may be configured for receiving informationtherefrom. A washroom monitoring station may be placed in communicationwith the data communications unit and may be likewise configured forreceiving information therefrom. The dispenser sensor unit may beconfigured for receiving a communication so as to vary the dispensingparameter of the dispenser. The dispensing parameter may be selectedfrom a multitude of various parameters such as, but not limited to, shotsize, sheet length, time delay, light sensitivity and/or volume.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser sensorunit may be configured for receiving the communication from the washroommonitoring station by way of the data communications unit in order tocause the dispenser to vary the dispensing parameter. Alternatively oradditionally, the apparatus may be configured so that the dispensersensor unit is configured for receiving the communication from a cellphone or PDA in order to cause a varying of the dispensing parameter.

Also included is an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus as discussedabove where the dispenser sensor unit may be configured for identifyingthe product and for reporting the identification of the product to thewashroom monitoring station through the data communications unit.Additionally, a reader may be included for identifying the product thatmay be an RFID reader, a barcode reader, a printed label reader, amagnetic strip reader, a smart tag reader a hologram reader, aluminescence reader and/or a fluorescence reader.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser may havea visual display in communication with the washroom monitoring stationthrough the data communications unit. The visual display may beconfigured for displaying information that may be changed through thewashroom monitoring station. Additionally or alternatively, theapparatus may include in another exemplary embodiment an audio moduleconfigured for announcing an audio message. The audio module may be incommunication with the washroom monitoring station through the datacommunications unit so that the washroom monitoring station may beconfigured for changing audio messages of the audio module.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser sensorunit may be configured for identifying the product and reporting theidentification of the product and the level of product remaining in thedispenser to a database. A product reordering mechanism may be includedand may be configured for using the database in order to reorder productwhen low and to bill the customer for the reordered product.

Also included may be an apparatus for conveying information in awashroom. The apparatus may include a display that is configured forconveying information and a data communications unit in communicationwith the display. A washroom monitoring station may also be included andmay be in communication with the data communications unit. The washroommonitoring station may be configured for communicating with the displaythrough the data communications unit in order to modify informationconveyed by the display. The display may be of any type. For example,the display may be a visual display and/or an audio module.

Another exemplary embodiment provides for an apparatus for monitoringthe presence of water in a washroom. The apparatus may include anoverflow sensor for detecting the presence of water. A datacommunications unit may be in wireless communication with the overflowsensor. Further, a washroom monitoring station may be included and maybe in wireless communication with the data communications unit and withthe overflow sensor through the data communications unit. The washroommonitoring station may be configured for indicating the presence ofwater when detected by the overflow sensor. The overflow sensor may beselected from a variety of sensors including, but not limited to, amoisture detector, a pressure sensor, and/or a float switch.

An apparatus may also be provided as described above that is capable ofmonitoring the flow of water to determine if excess water is being usedby a faucet, toilet and/or urinal that is left running. A datacommunications unit may be in communication with the flow sensor.Further, a washroom monitoring station may be included and may be incommunication with the data communications unit and with the flow sensorthrough the data communications unit. The washroom monitoring stationmay be configured for indicating the flow of water when detected by theflow sensor. The flow sensor may be selected from a variety of sensorsincluding, but not limited to, a rotating vane and/or differentialpressure unit.

Also provided for in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment isan apparatus as described above that may be capable of monitoringwashroom hand washing compliance. The apparatus may include a sensor forindicating the presence and identity of a user of the washroom. Adispenser sensor unit may be capable of detecting the removal of productfrom the dispenser. A data communications unit may also be included andmay be in communication with the sensor. A washroom monitoring stationmay be placed in communication with the data communications unit. Thedata communications unit may be configured for receiving informationfrom the dispenser sensor unit and the data communications unit so as tomonitor product removal by the individual.

Also provided in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is anapparatus as immediately discussed in which the washroom monitoringstation may be configured for reporting lack of product removal to theindividual by way of a cell phone, PDA, a pager and/or a telephone.

Also provided for in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment isan apparatus as previously discussed where the dispenser may be a papertowel dispenser, a soap dispenser, a toilet tissue dispenser and/or asink, toilet or urinal.

Another exemplary embodiment exists in a dispenser for the dispensing ofproduct. The dispenser may include a dispenser housing that isconfigured for holding the product. A lever may be provided and may bepivotally mounted to the dispenser housing and configured for engagingthe product. The lever may be configured for pivoting to a low productposition upon a reduction of the amount of product brought about bydispensing of product. A switch may be provided and may be configuredfor engagement with the lever when the lever is pivoted to the lowproduct position. The switch may be configured for generating a lowproduct signal when the lever is pivoted to the low product position.

Also provided in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is anapparatus for the dispensing of soap. The apparatus may include adispenser sensor unit in communication with a soap dispenser. Thedispenser sensor unit may be capable of detecting the amount of soap inthe dispenser and also capable of varying the shot size of thedispenser. A data communications unit may also be provided and may be inwireless communication with the dispenser sensor unit. The datacommunications unit may be configured for receiving information from thedispenser sensor unit that includes at least the amount of soapremaining in the dispenser. A washroom monitoring station may beprovided and may be in wireless communication with the datacommunications unit. The washroom monitoring station may be configuredfor receiving information from the data communications unit thatincludes at least the amount of soap remaining in the dispenser. Thewashroom monitoring station may be configured for communicating with thedispenser sensor unit through the data communications unit in order tovary the shot size of the dispenser.

A dispenser for the dispensing of product may also be provided inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment. The dispenser may includea dispenser housing that is configured for holding product. A dispensersensor unit may be included and may be configured for detecting theamount of product in the dispenser. A washroom monitoring station mayalso be provided and may be in wireless communication with the dispensersensor unit. The washroom monitoring station may be configured forreceiving information concerning the amount of product in the dispenser.

An apparatus in accordance with another exemplary embodiment for thedispensing of product may be provided. The apparatus may include adispenser housing that is configured for holding product. A dispensersensor unit may be included and may have an emitter configured foremitting infrared light. A detector may be provided and may beconfigured for receiving infrared light from the dispenser sensor unitso as to indicate whether product is present in the path of the infraredlight.

A further exemplary embodiment exists in the apparatus as previouslydiscussed where the dispenser sensor unit and the detector may bepositioned at a low product point in the dispenser. Additionally, theproduct may be a paper stack in accordance with another exemplaryembodiment.

Also provided is an apparatus for the dispensing of product inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment. The apparatus may includea dispenser configured for the dispensing of product and a dispensersensor unit configured for detecting a product low condition. A datacommunications unit may be in communication with the dispenser sensorunit and may be configured for receiving information from the dispensersensor unit. A washroom monitoring station may be in communication withthe data communications unit and may be configured for receivinginformation from the data communications unit. The washroom monitoringstation may check an inventory of the product when the product lowcondition is detected and may reorder the product if sufficient productis not present in the inventory.

Another exemplary embodiment exists in the apparatus as immediatelydiscussed where the washroom monitoring station may keep a record of thenumber of times the product low condition is detected. Additionally, oralternatively, the washroom monitoring station may bill a customer forthe amount of product dispensed from the dispenser.

A further exemplary embodiment resides in an apparatus for monitoring awashroom that includes a camera configured for viewing the floor of thewashroom. A data communications unit may be in communication with thecamera and a washroom monitoring station may be in communication withthe data communications unit. The washroom monitoring station may beconfigured for indicating the present of an object, such as water and/ordebris, on the floor of the washroom.

An apparatus for the dispensing of product is also provided. Theapparatus includes a dispenser configured for the dispensing of productand a sensor in communication with an electrical circuit carried by thedispenser. The sensor is configured for detecting identificationinformation about the product when the electrical circuit is completedby the product.

A further exemplary embodiment exists in an apparatus as previouslydiscussed in which the dispenser has a support configured for rotatablysupporting a roll of the product and for receiving a core of theproduct. The electrical circuit has a pair of first contacts forreceiving a conductive element on the core of the product in order tocomplete the electrical circuit.

Also provided is an apparatus as immediately discussed in which theelectrical circuit further includes a pair of second contacts and a pairof third contacts. The contacts are used for receiving conductiveelements of the core of the product to complete the electrical circuitin order to provide identification information of various products.

The present invention also provides for an apparatus as previouslydiscussed in which the dispenser has a support configured to rotatablysupport a roll of the product and to receive a core of the product. Thesupport is a pair of arms that are configured to extend into either endof the core of the product. Each of the arms has a conductive element ofthe electrical circuit located thereon. In accordance with one exemplaryembodiment the conductive elements are configured for engaging a metalcoating on the inside of the core to complete the electrical circuit. Inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment, the conductive element isconfigured for engaging an electrically conductive adhesive that isapplied to the core in order to complete the electrical circuit.

The present invention also provides for an apparatus that includes adispenser configured for the dispensing of product. The apparatusfurther includes a sensor that is carried by the dispenser and isconfigured for optically detecting identification information about theproduct when the product is received by the dispenser.

Various exemplary embodiments exist in an apparatus as immediatelydiscussed in which the sensor may acquire identification informationabout the product through fluorescence color, and/or identificationindicia.

Also provided for in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is an apparatus that includes a dispenser configuredfor dispensing a product and an olfactory sensor that is carried by thedispenser. The olfactory sensor is configured for detecting a smell ofthe product to acquire identification information about the product.Additional exemplary embodiments exists in which a roll of product isprovided that has an odor applied thereto.

The present invention also provides for an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus that includes a dispenser configured for the dispensing ofproduct along with a sensor carried by the dispenser. The sensor isconfigured for physically contacting the product in order to detectidentification information about the product when the product isreceived by the dispenser for dispensing.

Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is anapparatus as previously discussed in which the dispenser has a supportconfigured to rotatably support a roll of the product. The sensor is aload cell that is configured for physically contacting the product andfor detecting the weight of the product in order to acquireidentification information of the product. The roll may have a core ormay be a coreless roll.

Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is anapparatus with a dispenser that may have a support configured torotatably support a roll of the product and to receive a core of theproduct. The sensor detects vibration of the roll during dispensing inorder to acquire identification information about the product. In afurther exemplary embodiment, vibration elements may be placed onto acore of the product so that vibration is produced during dispensing inorder to provide identification information about the product.Additional exemplary embodiments exist in which vibration is detectedupon removal of product from the dispenser aside from roll rotation.

The present invention also provides for an apparatus as previouslydiscussed in which the sensor is a dispenser sensor unit. A datacommunications unit is also provided and is in communication with thedispenser sensor unit and is configured for receiving identificationinformation from the dispenser sensor unit. A washroom monitoringstation is provided and is in communication with the data communicationsunit and is configured for receiving identification information from thedata communications unit.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a sheet materialdispenser according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in anopen condition.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is cross-sectional view of a dispenser that employs a corelessroll with an RFID tag in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a dispenser accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a dispenser according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a portion of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in anopen condition, showing a module which is inserted into the dispenserhousing.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of yet another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a logic chart of a dispense paper routine.

FIG. 10 is a logic chart of a check dispenser status routine.

FIG. 11 is a logic chart of a paper routine.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of still yet another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional front view of a folded towel dispenserthat shows the position of a stack of paper towels and a dispensersensor unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the internal arrangement of a dispensersensor unit as employed in the dispenser of FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the operation of the dispenser sensor unit asemployed in the dispenser of FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the logical relationship betweendispenser sensor units, data communication units, and a washroommonitoring station in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the internal arrangement of a datacommunications unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional side view of an automatic roll toweldispenser that incorporates a dispenser sensor unit in accordance withone exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a front view of a portion of the automatic roll toweldispenser shown in FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a front view of an automatic soap dispenser employing adispenser sensor unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a side view of the automatic soap dispenser in FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the physical relationship betweendispenser sensor units, data communication units, a washroom monitoringstation, and other components in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram of a product low alert and refill sequencein accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of a product low alert that is sent to acell phone of a janitor or other maintenance personnel in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram of a battery low alert and a batterychange out in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram of a dispenser sensor unit communicationserror and related alert and service in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of a system incorporating productrecognition in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of a system incorporating productrecognition and disablement of higher-level functions in accordance withan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 27A is a front view of a roll towel dispenser incorporating avisual display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 27B is a side view of the roll towel dispenser in FIG. 27A.

FIG. 28A is a front view of a roll towel dispenser incorporating anaudio module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 28B is a side view of the roll towel dispenser in FIG. 28A.

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of the dispenser electronics that may beused with the roll towel dispensers in FIGS. 27A and 28A in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a sequence diagram of the automatic reordering of product inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of a system for monitoring, reporting andanalysing various washroom components in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of a washroom display unit in communicationwith a data communications unit and a washroom monitoring station inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a front view of a portion of a dispenser capable of detectinga product low condition of a paper stack in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a camera in communication with a datacommunications unit and a washroom monitoring station in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a dispenser withan electrical circuit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an arm of a dispenser that has anelectrical circuit and is configured for receiving a roll of product inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an arm of a dispenser that has a seriesof contacts so as to be configured for receiving and identifying varioustypes of rolled products.

FIG. 38 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a dispenser witha sensor used for acquiring product identification information inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 39A is a perspective view of a rolled product that has an odorapplied thereto for identification purposes.

FIG. 39B is a perspective view of a rolled product that has afluorescent indicator applied thereto for identification purposes.

FIG. 39C is a perspective view of a rolled product that has a colorapplied thereto for identification purposes.

FIG. 39D is a perspective view of a rolled product that hasidentification indicia applied thereto for identification purposes.

FIG. 40 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a dispenser thathas a sensor configured for physically contacting a product foridentification purposes in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a rolled product that has a vibrationelement applied to an inner surface of a core of the rolled product foridentification purposes in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to present same or analogous features or elementsof the invention.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the term “identification” when used as a noun meansanything on an object which serves to identify the object.

As used herein, the term “identifier” means a mechanism or a device foridentifying an object from identification on the object.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to be inclusive oropen-ended, and is not intended to exclude additional elements or methodsteps which do not prevent operation of the invention.

As used herein, the term “fasteners” means devices that fasten, join,connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together. Fasteners include,but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, snap-fits,tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking male/female connectors,such as fishhook connectors, a fish hook connector includes a maleportion with a protrusion on its circumference. Inserting the maleportion into the female portion substantially permanently locks the twoportions together.

As used herein, the term “basis weight” (hereinafter may be referred toas “BW”) is the weight per unit area of a sample and may be reported asgrams per meter squared (gsm). The basis weight may be measured usingtest procedure ASTM D 3776-96 or TAPPI Test Method T-220.

As used herein, the term “hinge” refers to a jointed or flexible devicethat connects and permits pivoting or turning of a part to a stationarycomponent. Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotableconnectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, and livinghinges. Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and formedintegrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotablemovement of one member in relation to another connected member.

As used herein, the term “couple” includes, but is not limited to,joining, connecting, fastening, linking, or associating two thingsintegrally or interstitially together.

As used herein, the terms “sheet material” and “paper” means a materialthat is thin in comparison to its length and breadth. Generallyspeaking, sheet materials should exhibit a relatively flat planarconfiguration and be flexible to permit folding, rolling, stacking, andthe like. Exemplary sheet materials and papers include, but are notlimited to, paper tissue, bath/toilet tissue, paper towels, wipes, labelrolls, or other fibrous, film, polymers, or filamentary products. Theterms “sheet material” and “paper” may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term “product” or “products” includes, but is notlimited to, a single sheet or roll, multiple sheets or rolls, or asingle stack or multiple stacks. As such, the terms product or productsare broad enough to cover any item such as but not limited to (water,soap, paper) held by or dispensed from a dispenser whether in multipleor singular form. The term may cover both individual sheets or sheets aswell as the entire roll, stack or cartridge.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remainingportions of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation of the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used withanother embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intendedthat the present invention include these and other modifications andvariations.

It is to be understood that the ranges and limits mentioned hereininclude all ranges located within, and also all values located under orabove the prescribed limits. For instance, a range from 100-200 alsoincludes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, a limit ofup to about 7 also includes a limit of up to about 5, up to about 3, andup to about 4.5.

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a dispenser 10 for dispensing a webof sheet material 12 from a continuous roll 14 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The web of sheet material in thisembodiment comprises an absorbent material, such as paper towelling, andso forth, which may be periodically perforated for separation.

With reference also to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the dispenser 10 is seento include a dispenser housing 16 having a back panel 18 mountable to awall or similar vertical surface, a pair of opposed side panels 20 and22, and a front cover 24. The front cover 24 is desirably, but not byway of limitation, pivotally connected to a lower portion of the housing16 with hinges 28 so as to be movable between a closed condition, asillustrated in FIG. 1, and an open condition, as illustrated in FIG. 2.It will be appreciated that the front cover 24 may be connected byfasteners, screws, and any other mechanism known in the art. The frontcover 24 of the dispenser housing 16 typically is opened for servicingor for loading a replacement sheet material roll into the dispenser 10.A latch (not shown) allows the front cover 24 to be locked in the closedcondition so as to avoid unauthorised tampering with the dispensercomponents within the housing 16.

The sheet material roll 14 may include a core or sleeve 30. The sheetmaterial roll 14 may, alternatively, be a coreless roll, such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,148 to J. Mitchell, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes. Thesheet material roll 14 may be rotatably supported within the housing 16by a pair of mounting hubs 32 and 34 which, in the present embodiment,are illustrated as connected to the side panels 20 and 22 of the housing16 by means of roll holders 36 and 38. The outer circumference of thesheet material roll 14 may be supported by a portion of the housingwithout other support for unwinding of the roll 14. One such example isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,010, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety herein for all purposes. It will be appreciated,however, that the housing 16 may be provided as a separate unit with fewor no mechanisms connected thereto. In this instance, some or all of thedispensing mechanisms shown and/or described herein may be provided asone or more modules which are inserted into the housing, as illustratedin FIG. 7. Examples of such dispenser housings and modules are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,131,044 and 6,079,035, both of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety herein for all purposes.

As can be seen, the sheet material 12 runs off the roll 14, between apair of rollers 40 and 42, and through a dispensing opening 44, forexample, in a lower end 45 of the housing 16. Alternatively, thedispensing opening may be formed in the front cover, or in both aportion of the front cover and a portion of the lower end (not shown).The opening 44 may have a serrated edge (not illustrated), or it maycarry teeth (also not illustrated) for severing the web of sheetmaterial (if is it not perforated). One end of the roller 40 may berotatably mounted to the side panel 20 of the housing 16 or of a modulehousing (FIG. 7) by means of a roll holder 46, and one end of the roller42 may be rotatably mounted to the side panel 20 of the housing 16 or ofa module housing (FIG. 7) by means of a roll holder 48. The other endsof the rollers 40 and 42 may be rotatably mounted to the side panel 22by means of roll holders concealed within a transmission housing 50. Thetransmission housing 50 contains a transmission (not visible) fortransmitting drive from an electric motor 52 to the roller 40 so as torotate this roller. Alternatively, at least one of the rollers may bemounted in the front cover, as disclosed generally in U.S. Pat. No.6,607,160 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein forall purposes.

The rollers 40 and 42 together define a nip 54 having a gap which isdesirably slightly smaller than the thickness of the sheet material onthe roll 14. The sheet material 12 passes through the nip 54, as shownmost clearly in FIG. 1, so that rotation of the drive roller 40 and thedriven roller 42 pulls the sheet material off of the roll 14 anddispenses it through the dispensing opening 44.

An activation sensor 56 may be mounted to the lower end 45 of thehousing 16 (or, alternatively, to a module in the housing (not shown))adjacent a lens 58, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be understood,however, that the activation sensor 56 and/or lens 58, or anyactivations system shown and/or described herein or known in the art,may be mounted in any area of the housing, so long as it operates asdescribed herein. In this embodiment of the invention, the sensor 56 isdesirably, but not by way of limitation, a conventional passive sensorfor detecting infrared radiation. Passive infrared detectors are knownin the art, and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,337to Shikaumi and U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,248 to Bauer et al, both of whichare incorporated herein by reference. A passive infrared detector whichmay be used with the dispenser 10 is a Model 40623 sold by EltecInstruments Inc. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate thatvarious different infrared detectors are available, and that many of theavailable detectors are suitable for use with the dispenser 10. Inpractice, the sensor 56 is arranged to detect infrared radiation from auser's hand placed below the lens 58, and upon detecting the radiation,to transmit a signal for activating the electric motor 52 so as todispense a length of sheet material through the dispensing opening 44.

It will by understood, however, that other activation mechanisms, suchas capacitive and ultrasonic, may be used in the present invention.Capacitive proximity sensors produce an electrostatic field that willsense both metal objects and non-metallic materials such as paper,glass, liquids and cloth. Ultrasonic proximity sensors use a transducerto send and receive high frequency sound signals. When a target entersthe beam the sound is reflected back to the sensor, causing it toenergize or de-energize the output circuit. Another sensor type isinductive. In this case an electromagnetic field is used, however,detection is limited to only metallic objects.

With particular reference now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the dispenser10 includes a reader or scanner 60 positioned in a non-limiting exampleon the housing 16 or module (FIG. 7), and by way of another non-limitingexample, the core 30 of the roll 14 carries identification in the formof a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), which in thisembodiment comprises a passive “smart” chip or tag 62. It will beunderstood that the reader or scanner 60 may be positioned on anyportion of the dispenser, or near the dispenser, which permits it tooperate in the manner shown and described herein. Similarly, it will beappreciated that the smart tag 62 may be positioned on any location, ora number of locations, on the sheet material, as shown in FIG. 3A, whichillustrates the smart tag 62 embedded in a coreless roll. In addition,more than one smart tag 62 may be used in each sheet material roll 14.

The smart tag 62 contains information relating to the type of sheetmaterial on the roll 14, for example information relating to theabsorbency, the basis weight, manufacturer, etc. of the sheet material12. In use, the scanner 60 interrogates the smart tag 62 with anelectronic signal, and the smart tag 62, which includes an internalantenna (not visible), in turn generates and transmits anelectromagnetic pulse that is readable by the scanner to identify thetype of sheet material on the roll 14. The scanner 60 typically isconfigured to retrieve information from the smart tag 62 and to decodethe information.

RFID smart tag technology is known and understood by those skilled inthe art, and a detailed explanation thereof is not necessary forpurposes of describing the dispenser and method of the presentinvention. Generally, conductive or passive smart tags consist ofsilicon or other semiconductors, a coiled, etched, or stamped antenna, acapacitor, and a substrate on which the components are mounted orembedded. A protective covering typically is used to encapsulate andseal the substrate. Inductive or passive smart tags have been introducedby Motorola under the name BISTATIX®. A detailed description of theBISTATIX® device may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,367 to Klein, theentire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. Furtherinformation on smart tags and related technology is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,451,154 to Grabau et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,493 to Mon; U.S.Pat. No. 6,362,738 to Vega; and PCT publication WO 02/48955. Variousdifferent RFID tags and scanners are available. RFID tags and scannerssuitable for use with the dispenser 10 are available from, for example,Philips Semiconductors of Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Sokymat ofLausanne, Switzerland; Checkpoint Systems Inc. of Miami, Fla.; and OmronCompany of Tokyo, Japan.

Alternatively, the smart tags 62 may be an active device. In thisconfiguration, the smart tag 62 includes active transceiving circuitrythat has the capability to selectively respond to coded request signalstransmitted by a scanner. An active smart tag 62 may include thecapability to receive and store additional information beyond theinformation contained in its fixed code. An active smart tag 62 requiresan internal power supply, such as a micro-battery, thin film battery,and so forth (not shown).

The dispenser housing 16 desirably contains at least one battery 64 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2) for powering the various electric and electroniccomponents within the dispenser 10. It will be appreciated, however,that more than one, that is, a plurality of batteries may be used.Alternatively, however, the dispenser may be powered by AC or an ACpowered transformer adapter (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the dispenser 10 includes aprocessor 66 which receives data from the scanner 60 relating to thetype of sheet material on the roll 14. The processor 66 contains analgorithm, which in this embodiment is stored in a chip set embedded ona printed circuit board within the dispenser housing 16, and which isused to process the data from the scanner 60 and to generate an outputcommand for a controller 68. The controller in turn controls theoperation of the electric motor 52, and hence the dispensing of thesheet material 12, in a manner which is described in more detail below.

A delay switch 70 is desirably provided for ensuring a minimum delay of,for example, but not by way of limitation, three seconds betweensuccessive activations of the electric motor 52. This delay is designedto avoid accidental reactivation of the electric motor, and henceunnecessary dispensing of sheet material by a user. The dispenser 10also desirably includes a lockout switch 72 which opens when the frontcover 24 is pivoted away from the closed condition, so as to preventcommunication between the sensor 56 and the controller 68. This preventsoperation of the electric motor 52 while the dispenser 10 is open. Whenthe front cover 24 is returned to the closed condition, the lockoutswitch 72 automatically closes to allow operation of the controller 68and the electric motor 52. In this way, the switch 72 protects anoperator from moving components within the housing 16 during servicingor replacement of the roll of sheet material.

An activation switch 74 closes when the front cover 24 is opened,thereby desirably activating the scanner 60. This allows the scanner toread information from the smart tag 62 when the roll 14 is inserted intothe dispenser 10. A deactivation switch 76 is also provided fordeactivating the scanner 60, to conserve energy, after a predeterminednumber of revolutions of the drive roller 40, for example 9, or apredetermined number of activations of the electric motor 52, forexample 3. It will be understood that any number of revolutions oractivations may be set for the deactivation switch.

Alternatively, the dispenser 10 may be equipped with a reset system,e.g., a front cover 24 mounted switch that would trip when the frontcover 24 was opened for reloading (not shown). In another alternative, aswitch could be provided in connection with a fuel gauge which wouldtrip when the fuel gauge goes to a full zero positions, such as when aproduct roll is replaced (not shown). Once the system is reset, itsreading or sensing circuit would be enabled for a discrete or limitedincrement, for example, three rotations of the drive roller. After thisinterval and sensing of the product, the reading or sensing system wouldshut down until the next reset to conserve power. In still anotheralternative, a momentary contact switch may be provided in conjunctionwith, for example, one arm of the roll holder, such that movement of thearm, to load a new roll of sheet material, energizes the reading orsensing circuit.

The operation of the dispenser 10 will now be described with referenceto FIG. 4. First, upon opening the front cover 24 of the dispenserhousing 16 for the replacement of the sheet material 12, the activationswitch 74 desirably closes to activate the scanner 60. The scanner thenreads and decodes information relating to the type of sheet material 12on the replacement roll 14 from the smart tag 62, and transmits datarelating to the type of sheet material to the processor 66. Theprocessor receives the data, processes the data, and generates an outputcommand for adjusting the setting of the controller 68, which in turncontrols the electric motor 52 so as to dispense a suitable length ofsheet material. In this way, the lengths of sheet material 12 metered ordispensed vary according to the type of sheet material 12 detected onthe roll 14. For example, the dispenser 10 may be set to dispense threedifferent types of sheet material A, B and C having different degrees ofsoftness and absorbency. If the towel A is the most absorbent and thetowel C is the least absorbent, the processor 66 typically is set togenerate output commands for adjusting the controller 68 so as todispense shorter lengths of towel A than towel C. For example, thecontroller 68 may be adjustable to dispense 12 inches of sheet materialA, 14 inches of sheet material B, and 18 inches of sheet material C. Inthis way, higher quality, more absorbent sheet material is efficientlydispensed without significant waste, while lower quality, less absorbentsheet material is dispensed in sufficiently long lengths to effectproper drying of a user's hands. A desired result is to provide onesheet of material to dry a user's hands; the length provided is meant toprovide adequate dryness, based on characteristics of the sheetmaterial, such as absorbency, basis weight, and so forth, so that a useronly uses one sheet per hand drying episode.

Once the controller 68 has been set and the front cover 24 has beenclosed (and desirably locked), sheet material 12 is dispensed to a userupon triggering of the sensor 56. In this regard, when the sensor 56detects a user's hand, it transmits a signal to the controller 68,through the switches 70 and 72, and the controller then activates theelectric motor 52 to dispense the predetermined length of sheet materialto the user. In this embodiment of the invention, the controller 68desirably includes a counter which limits the number of revolutions ofthe electric motor 52 to effect dispensing of the desired length ofsheet material to the user. The delay switch 70 is opened upondeactivation of the electric motor 52 by the controller 68, and thisswitch remains open for a predetermined time interval, for example, butnot by way of limitation, 3 seconds, to block communication between thesensor 56 and the controller 68. In this manner, the delay switch 70desirably prevents accidental reactivation of the motor 52 by a userremoving sheet material 12 from the dispenser 10, and hence unnecessarydispensing of the sheet material. The delay switch 70 also serves todiscourage vandals by frustrating bulk dispensing.

When an operator opens the front cover 24 to replace the roll 14, theactivation switch 74, by way of non-limiting example, once againactivates the scanner 60 so as to allow for the reading of a smart tagon a replacement roll of sheet material inserted into the dispenser 10.In the event that the replacement roll comprises a different sheetmaterial to the previous roll, the processor 66 generates a new outputcommand for adjusting the setting of the controller 68, and hence thelength of sheet material to be dispensed by the electric motor 52. Also,as soon as the front cover 24 of the dispenser housing 16 is opened, thelockout switch 72 opens to prevent operation of the electric motor 52,thereby to protect the operator from moving components within thehousing 16.

In the event that an unrecognized roll of sheet material (“unrecognizedroll”, “unrecognized sheet material” and/or “unrecognized paper” as usedherein refers to a roll of sheet material which is scanned and either(1) does not send back the expected signal, or (2) does not send backany signal) is loaded into the dispenser 10, and the scanner 60 isunable to read and/or receive information relating to the type of sheetmaterial on the roll, the processor 66 sets the controller 68 to adefault setting, which typically is the last stored setting or themaximum setting, which for sheet material A, B and C is, for example, 18inches. In this way, when the dispenser 10 is used to dispense anunrecognized product, such as a product which the dispenser is notdesigned to dispense, it either dispenses the product at an arbitrarysetting or is adjusted to dispense at the maximum setting for a lessabsorbent sheet material. Alternatively, the processor 66 may bedesigned to generate an output command in these instances which blocksoperation of the controller 68 entirely so as to prevent operation ofthe electric motor 52, and hence dispensing of sheet material. Such afunction is advantageous because the use of an unrecognized product canresult in the jamming of the dispenser, damage to the dispenser, and/orin unsatisfactory dispensing of the product.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a dispenser 110 according to a secondembodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a support 112 for asheet material roll 114 includes a pair of mounting hubs 116 and 118connected to side panels 120 and 122 (or a mounting module, such as thatshown in FIG. 7) of a dispenser housing 124 by means of roll holders 126and 128. As can be seen, the roll 114 carries a reflective label 130,and the support 112 includes an infrared emitter 132 in the mounting hub116 and an infrared detector 134 in the mounting hub 118. The emitter132 is arranged to emit angled infrared light into the core of the roll114, as shown, which upon reflection off the reflective label 130 isdetected by the infrared detector 134 to complete an infraredemitter/detector circuit. If an unrecognized product is inserted intothe dispenser 110, the infrared emitter/detector circuit will not becompleted, and typically the dispenser will default to a setting for aless absorbent sheet material in which a relatively long length of sheetmaterial is dispensed. Recognition of different rolls of sheet materialsin this embodiment may be accomplished by adjusting the relativereflectivity of the label and therefore total reflected light forvarious sheet materials. Apart from the infrared emitter/detectorcircuit, the dispenser 110 is similar in all other respects to thedispenser 10 described above.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings, a portion of a dispenser 210 according to athird embodiment of the invention is seen to include a reader 212 forreading a logo 214, a bar code or the like which may be typicallystamped or ink-jetted onto a side of a sheet material roll 216. It willbe appreciated, however, that the bar code may be located anywhere onthe roll 216 and/or on any sheet material in the roll 216. The reader212 in this embodiment is desirably located on a support arm 218 forrotatably supporting the roll 216 within a dispenser housing 220, and ispositioned so as to be aligned with the path of travel of the logo 214,although it will be appreciated that, like the bar code, the reader 212may be positioned anywhere within the dispenser housing 216, so long asit operates to read the bar code as described herein. Accordingly, asthe roll 216 rotates on the support arm 218, the logo 214 passes thereader 212 to identify the roll. Once the type of sheet material hasbeen identified, the dispenser 210 is automatically set to dispense asuitable length of the sheet material. If an unrecognized productwithout the required marking 214 is inserted into the dispenser 210, adefault setting for less absorbent sheet material typically will beassumed in which a relatively long length of sheet material isdispensed. Apart from the support arms 218 and the reader 212, thedispenser 210 is similar in all respects to the dispenser 10 describedabove.

It will be appreciated that the reader 212 may be configured to readand/or recognize a specific label, a specific logo, a magnetic strip, ahologram, and so forth, positioned in any position on any sheetmaterial(s) of the roll 216. Accordingly, the present embodiment isintended as a non-limiting example.

A portion of a dispenser 310 according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The dispenser 310 issimilar in many respects to the dispenser 10, and differs only in thatthe dispensing mechanisms are mounted in a module 311, having, by way ofnon-limiting example, side walls 322 and at least a portion of a backwall 318, which is inserted into the dispensing housing 316. Otherwise,the dispenser 310 has the characteristics and operation of dispenser 10,as previously described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of a dispenser 10controller 400 is presented. Controller 400 includes microprocessor ormicrocontroller 402 (“microprocessor” and “microcontroller” usedinterchangeably herein) activation sensor 404 (comprising IR receiver404 a and IR transmitter 404 b), paper type sensor 406, motor 408, relay410 and various sensors, timers, adjustors, and LED indicators(described in more detail later). Controller 400 is powered by eitherA.C. power source 412 or D.C. power source 414. A communicationconnection 416 is provided to facilitate programming/reprogramming ofmicrocontroller 402 and/or communication between dispenser 10 and aremote computer.

Microcontroller 402 controls the functioning of dispenser 10 byexecuting code stored in a program memory. Ideally, microcontroller 402has onboard program memory and data memory. Such memory is desirably anon-volatile memory; however, volatile memory may be used. One exampleof a suitable microcontroller is the PIC16F72 microcontroller (PICmicro®family) manufactured by Microchip Technology.

Microcontroller 402, motor 408 as well as individual components ofcontroller 400 are powered by either A.C. power supply 412 or D.C. powersupply 414. Desirably, a 120 Volt A.C. line input voltage is reduced to12 volts using a transformer. The reduced voltage is rectified and feedinto linear regulator 413 which maintains the desired D.C. voltage levelrequired by controller 10. One possible embodiment of a D.C. powersupply is a battery.

As previously noted for sensor 56, activation sensor 404 is aconventional passive sensor for detecting infrared (IR) radiationcomprising a transmitter 404 a and receiver 404 b. Such passive infrareddetectors are known in the art. IR transmitter 404 b transmits aperiodic (at random intervals or fixed intervals as desired) pulsed IRsignal. IR receiver 404 a is configured to detect reflected IR signalsin the same pattern as the transmitted signal. When such a signal isdetected, activation sensor 404 generates an output signal informingmicrocontroller 402 that sheet material or paper should be dispensed.

Desirably, paper length adjustments and IR sensitivity adjustments areperformed automatically over communication connection 416 using a remotecomputer. It should be noted, however, that dispenser 10 allows formanual paper length adjustments and manual IR sensitivity adjustmentsusing paper length adjustment 430 and IR sensitivity adjustments 418respectively.

When microcontroller 402 determines that activation sensor 404 has beentriggered and that dispenser 10 is ready to dispense paper,microcontroller 402 causes paper to be dispensed from dispenser 10 byengaging relay 410 thereby applying power to electric motor 408. Aselectric motor 408 turns, paper roll 14 turns and paper is forced out ofthe front of dispenser 10. As paper is being dispensed, microcontroller402 monitors rotation counter 418 which outputs a signal for each motorrotation (or paper roll 14 rotation, or fraction thereof). When rotationcounter 418 generates a predefined number of rotation signals,microcontroller 402 disengages relay 410 thereby removing power to motor408. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thelength of paper that is dispensed can be controlled by manipulating thepredefined number of rotation signals microcontroller 402 looks for(i.e. the value at which microcontroller 402 turns off motor 408).

Before engaging relay 410, microcontroller 402 checks the status ofDelay timer 421. The purpose of delay timer 421 is to preventconsecutive paper dispensing events until a predefined amount of timeelapses. Upon disengaging relay 410 after a paper dispensing event,delay timer 421 is activated. While delay timer 421 is active,microcontroller 402 disables relay 410. Delay timer 421 is designed to“time out” after a predefined amount of time. Such functionality can beachieved using a count down timer, a count up timer or any othersuitable timing technology. For example, delay timer 421 could be set to“time out” ten seconds after activation. For such a configuration,consecutive paper dispensing events could not occur faster than onceevery ten seconds.

Before engaging relay 410, microcontroller 402 checks the status of dooropen sensor 420. When a user opens front cover 24 to replace paper roll14 or otherwise service dispenser 10, open door sensor 420 asserts adoor open signal that is sensed by microcontroller 402. Upon sensing adoor open signal, microcontroller 402 disables relay 410 therebydisabling electric motor 408.

Microcontroller 402 monitors the output of sensor 423. D.C. voltagesensor 423 monitors the output voltage level of D.C. power supply 414.If such voltage level drops below a predefined amount, microcontroller402 asserts a voltage signal to low D.C. supply voltage LED 422. Whensuch a low signal is asserted, LED 422 will emit light informing a userthat the D.C. power source (perhaps a battery) is not providing theproper power to controller 400.

Microcontroller 402 also monitors low paper sensor 424. One method ofsensing a low paper condition may be accomplished using a mechanical armthat rides on paper roll 14. As paper from paper roll 14 is dispensedfrom dispenser 10, paper roll 14 shrinks in size. Eventually suchmechanical arm will activate low paper sensor 424 and a low paper signalwill be asserted. When microcontroller 402 detects a low paper signal,microcontroller 402 asserts a signal to low paper LED 426 and LED 426will emit light informing a user that the paper source is almostdepleted.

Attention is now directed to paper type sensor transmitter/receiver 406.When a user opens front cover 24 to replace paper roll 14 or otherwiseservice dispenser 10, open door sensor 420 asserts a door open signalthat is sensed by microcontroller 402. Microcontroller 402, in turn,activates the transmitter/receiver associated with the paper type sensortransmitter/receiver 406. One possible embodiment of a paper type sensortransmitter/receiver is an RFID based sensor. Ideally, paper roll 14 isassociated with an RFID smart tag. For such a configuration, paper typesensor transmitter/receiver 406 transmits an RFID smart tag triggersignal and listens for transmissions from RFID smart tags associatedwith paper roll 14. At least part of the received smart tag data isstored in a memory associated with microcontroller 402. Such smart tagdata ideally comprises paper type identification information. Suchinformation may be used by microcontroller 402 to automaticallyconfigured dispenser 10 operation based on the type of paper insertedinto dispenser 10.

Now referring to FIG. 12, a network enabled dispenser system 450 isdepicted. Multiple dispenser 10 devices are shown all interconnected toremote computer 456 via interface 452 and through wired or wirelesscommunication link 454. Such communication technology is well known inthe art and includes Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) and Bluetooth.

Interface 452 may comprise a gateway for connecting two otherwiseincompatible systems or for simply providing a connection between twocompatible systems. As used herein, a gateway is an electronic devicethat connects two otherwise incompatible systems or that simply providesa connection between two compatible systems. Interface 452 may also beincorporated into remote computer 456.

For such a configuration, a TCP/IP protocol suite may be incorporatedinto Interface 452 providing a gateway between remote computersconnected to communications link 454 and dispenser 10 devices whichideally enables continuous remote access to such devices. The gatewaymay incorporate an HTTP server for accessing data from multipledispenser 10 devices and for transmission of data to individualdispenser 10 devices.

In the above described system 10 configuration, communications link 406provides access to a first network (such as the Internet) operating inaccordance with a predetermined protocol (TCP/IP is one example). Aplurality of dispenser 10 devices may comprise a second network, such asa LAN. A gateway (Interface 452) operatively couples the first networkto the second network. Finally, an HTTP server is embedded in either thegateway or the plurality of dispenser devices facilitating the transferof data between the two networks. With such a configuration, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that individual dispenser 110devices or groups of dispenser 10 devices may be accessed as if suchdevices were a web site and their information could be displayed on aweb browser. Such technology is fully disclosed by Ardalan et al. inU.S. Pat. No. 6,363,057 for use in a system for communicating withelectricity meters, which is hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

Exemplary algorithms for controlling dispenser 10 are now considered.Such algorithms include a Dispense Paper routine, a Check DispenserStatus routine, and a Paper routine. Ideally, such algorithms, in theform of programming code, would be stored in a nonvolatile memoryassociated with processor 66 or microcontroller 402. Hereafter, however,processor 66 will be described as executing the disclosed algorithms.Typically, when dispenser 10 is powered up or reset, after performingthe necessary startup routines, processor 66 would access and executesuch programming code as required. It should be appreciated, however,that such programming code may be executed by any processor associatedwith dispenser 10.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a high level block diagram of an exemplaryDispense Paper routine is presented. Step 500 marks entry into theDispense Paper routine. At step 502, the status of dispenser 10 ischecked by executing exemplary Check Dispenser Status routine which isdescribed in more detail later. Generally speaking, the Check DispenserStatus routine evaluates the state of the various sensors associatedwith dispenser 10 and “sets” a Status-Off-Line flag if dispenser 10 isnot ready to dispense paper or “resets” such Status-Off-Line flag ifdispenser 10 is ready to dispense paper. At step 504, the value of theStatus-Off-Line flag is examined. If the Status-Off-Line flag is set,dispenser 10 is not ready to dispense paper and program control returnsto step 502 and the Check Dispenser Status routine is again executed.Such a loop will continue until the Check Dispenser Status routinedetermines that dispenser 10 is ready to dispense paper and resets theStatus-Off-Line flag.

If at step 504, processor 66 determines that the Status-Off-Line flag isnot set (i.e. the Status-Off-Line flag has been reset), program controlpasses to step 506 where processor 66 checks for a signal indicatingthat paper should be dispensed. For the disclosed exemplary embodiment,processor 66 checks for a received IR signal having a predefinedpattern. If the appropriate IR signal has been received, a rotationcounter is initialized (step 510) and program control passes to step 512where electric motor 52 is activated. As electric motor 52 turns, papertowel roll 14 turns and the rotation counter is incremented. At step514, processor 66 evaluates the rotation counter value to determine ifthe desired number of rotations has been recorded. If the desiredrotation counter value has not been recorded, an optional “watchdog”process may be performed (step 516).

A “watchdog” process is simply a process designed to prevent endlessloops. For example, if electric motor 52 has malfunctioned, the desiredrotation counter value will not be reached as electric motor 52 will notturn. For such a situation, and without a watchdog process, theprocessor 66 will be caught in an endless loop where it continuouslychecks the rotation counter value. If electric motor 52 is consumingpower during such a situation, there will be unnecessary powerconsumption (particularly undesirable for battery power embodiments) andthe electrical components that control electric motor 52 will beunnecessarily stressed reducing product life. Exemplary watchdogprocesses may include checking for paper movement and monitoring elapsedtime. Ideally, when an error condition is detected, the watchdog processwould disable the motor drive circuits and report the error condition.

After step 516, program control passes back to step 514 and processor 66again evaluates the status of the rotation counter value. If the desiredrotation counter value has been recorded, then program control passes tostep 518 where power to electric motor 52 in interrupted, a Delay Flagis set, Delay Counter is initialized, and the Status-Off-Line flag isset. Program control then passes back to step 502 and the CheckDispenser Status routine is executed.

Referring now to FIG. 10, step 530 marks the entry into an exemplaryCheck Dispenser Status routine. Upon entry into such routine, the statusof the Delay Flag is checked (step 532). If the Delay Flag is set, thenprogram control passes to step 534 and a delay counter value is examined(step 536). If a predefined delay counter value has been reached, thenthe Delay Flag is reset (step 540) and program control passes to step542. If, however, such predefined delay counter value has not beenreached, the delay counter value is serviced (step 538) and programcontrol returns to step 534. Such delay counter value may be a countdown timer, a count up timer, an elapsed time monitor, or any othersuitable process for monitoring the passage of time. Exemplary methodsof servicing a delay counter value include incrementing a counter value,decrementing a counter value, and updating a time value.

Returning to step 532, if the delay flag is not set, then programcontrol passes to step 542 and the status of the paper sensor isexamined. Such a paper sensor ideally determines when dispenser 10 isout of paper. If the paper sensor indicates that the paper supply indispenser 10 has been depleted, then the Status-Off-Line flag is set andprogram control returns to the calling routine (i.e. the Dispense Paperroutine). If at step 544 the paper sensor indicates that the papersupply in dispenser 10 has not been depleted, then program controlpasses to step 548.

At step 548, a door sensor is evaluated. Such a door sensor ideallydetermines when a dispenser 10 access means (such as front cover 24) hasbeen opened (perhaps to service dispenser 10). If the door sensorindicates that a monitored access point has been opened, theStatus-Off-Line flag is set and a Paper routine (described herein) isexecuted. When program control returns from the Paper routine, programcontrol returns to the calling routine (i.e. the Dispense Paperroutine).

Returning to step 550, if the door sensor indicates that no monitoredaccess points have been opened, program controls passes to step 554. Atstep 554, the Status-Off-Line flag is reset (i.e. dispenser 10 is readyto dispense paper). Optionally, a Detect and Issue Warnings routine (notdisclosed) may be executed at this point. Such a routine would check thestatus of warning sensors, such as low battery, low paper, etc. andissue warnings (such as turning on an LED or transmitting asignal/message to a remote device) when necessary. After resetting theStatus-Off-Line flag, program control returns to Dispense Paper routine.

Referring now to FIG. 11, step 580 marks the entry into an exemplaryPaper routine. The general purpose of the Paper routine is toautomatically detect the type of paper inserted into dispenser 10 andautomatically configure dispenser 10 according to predefined paperdispensing parameters associated with the detected paper type. Suchdispensing parameters may include the length of the paper to bedispensed and/or the delay between consecutive paper dispensing events.At step 582, processor 66 activates the paper type sensor's transmitterand receiver and listens for paper information (584). For example, ifthe paper type sensor is an RFID based sensor, an RFID trigger signal istransmitted to trigger RFID smart tag transmissions and a receivercircuit listens for such smart tag transmissions.

Such transmissions ideally comprise paper information associated withthe type of paper inserted into dispenser 10. As noted above, such paperinformation may be used, for example, to determine the length of paperto be dispensed and the delay between dispensing events. Thus, paperinformation may include two counters values; the rotation counter value(step 512) and the delay counter value (step 534). Alternatively, suchpaper information may be a simple code that is used to retrieve/accessthe appropriate paper type information from a memory associated withprocessor 66. At step 586, if processor 66 determines that valid paperinformation has been received, then a Paper-Type-Value is set consistentwith the received paper type information. Additionally, a PVR-Flag isset (PVR—Paper Value Received). The PVR-Flag is used to document thereceiving of valid paper information.

Returning to step 586, if processor 66 determines that no valid paperinformation has been received, the status of the door sensor is checked(step 586) in the same or similar manner as is done in step 548 (FIG.10). If the door sensor indicates an access point has not closed,program control jumps back to step 584. If, however, the door sensorindicates that the access points have been closed, program controlpasses to step 594 and the status of the PVR-Flag is checked.

If the PVR-Flag has been set, program control passes to step 598. Atstep 598, the paper type sensor transmitter/receiver may be deactivatedand program control returns to the calling routine, in this case, theCheck Dispenser Status routine.

If, however, at step 594 the PVR-Flag has not been set, program controlpasses to step 595. At step 595, the paper sensor is checked in the sameor similar manner as in step 542 (FIG. 10). If the paper sensorindicates that there is paper in dispenser 10, then an unknown papertype is deem to have been inserted into dispenser 10. Under suchconditions, the paper type value is set to a default value (step 597).Such a default value may simply be the previous paper type value (i.e.no change in value) or it may be a predefined value specifically usedfor unknown paper types. Next, at step 598, the paper type sensortransmitter/receiver may be deactivated and program control returns tothe calling routine. If, however, at step 595 the paper sensor indicatesthat there is no paper in dispenser 10, the Status-Off-Line Flag is setand program control passes to step 598.

Although the invention has been described above with reference todispensers which automatically dispense sheet materials with the aid ofan electric motor, it will be appreciated that the dispenser couldinclude a manually operated lever or the like for drawing sheetmaterials off a sheet material roll. In manually operated dispenserswith levers, the controller would be arranged to limit the operation ofthe lever, for example the number of strokes that can be effected or theextent of each stroke (not shown).

An advantage of the dispenser according to the present invention is thatit automatically controls the lengths of sheet materials dispensed.Accordingly, there is no need for an operator to adjust the dispenser inorder to effect a change in the lengths of sheet materials dispensed.Furthermore, the dispenser is efficient in that it allows for theautomatic dispensing of relatively short lengths of more absorbentproducts, and relatively longer lengths of less absorbent products.Also, the dispenser detects the loading of an unrecognized product,which is usually a less expensive and less absorbent sheet materialproduct, and defaults to a greater length of sheet dispensed. In thisway, the dispenser dispenses a single sheet in order to provide usersatisfaction in using the single sheet for a hand drying episode, nomatter whether a highly absorbent or less absorbent sheet materialproduct is dispensed.

It should be understood that the dispenser of the invention is notlimited to the dispensing of one type of sheet material, such as papertowels. On the contrary, the dispenser could also be used to dispensevarious other types of sheet material, such as, but not by way oflimitation, facial sheets, bath tissue sheets, wipers, and so forth.

FIGS. 13A and 13B of the drawings illustrate a dispenser 1000 fordispensing folded sheet material, such as folded paper towels, foldedbath tissue, folded facial tissue, and so forth. FIG. 13A is a frontelevation view and FIG. 13B is a side elevation view of the dispenser1000. A dispenser sensor unit (DSU) 1014 is carried by the innersidewall 1012 of the dispenser 1000. The DSU 1014 may be used fordetecting when refill of the dispenser 1000 is needed. The DSU 1014 usesan infrared sensor 1016 to detect when a paper stack 1018 falls below alow paper point 1020. A narrow beam of infrared light is sent from anemitter 1021 and is picked up by an adjacent detector 1023. When the topof the paper stack 1018 lies above the infrared sensor 1016, thedetector 1023 does not pick up infrared light. When the top of the paperstack 1018 lies below the infrared sensor 1016, light from the emitter1021 is visible to the detector 1023.

The DSU 1014 may be fitted at different positions within the dispenser1000 so as to accommodate various low product positions. It is to beunderstood, however, that other position detection mechanisms, such ascapacitive, ultrasonic and/or a mechanical lever may be used within theinvention. Capacitive proximity sensors produce an electrostatic fieldthat can sense paper and other non-metallic objects as well as metallicobjects. Ultrasonic proximity sensors use a transducer to send andreceive high frequency sound signals. The reflected sound has a shorterpath when the paper is in proximity to the sensor. A mechanical levercan be attached directly or indirectly to an electrical switch. A leverin contact with the paper stack 1018 indicates that there is anacceptable amount of paper remaining, and when the lever is not incontact with the paper stack 1018 the DSU 1014 indicates the paper levelis low. Additionally, the DSU 1014 may employ an infrared sensor that isconfigured differently than the infrared sensor 1016 previouslydescribed.

FIG. 14 shows the internal arrangement of the DSU 1014 in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment. The DSU 1014 includes a processor 1022.The processor 1022 is connected to communications electronics 1024 thatallows the DSU 1014 to communicate externally either by wires orwireless. The communication electronics 1024 may include either atransmitter or a transceiver. Additionally, in accordance with certainexemplary embodiments bi-directional communications may be employed.Wireless communications may be based upon one or more license exemptstandards including but not limited to IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz or 915MHz in compliance with the requirements of FCC Part 15. A wiredarrangement may be based upon an electrical bus standard including butnot limited to EIA RS485.

The DSU 1014 may contain a battery 1026 in order to provide power, andthe DSU 1014 may include a battery level sensor 1028 to monitor thebattery 1026 in order to determine when a battery change out isrequired. The battery level sensor 1028 may take the form of a simplevoltage reference. Alternatively the DSU 1014 may be powered by anappropriate external power supply, or in the case of wiredconfiguration, the DSU 1014 may be powered from a communications bus.The DSU 1014 may contain an infrared transmitter 1030 and an infraredreceiver 1032 in communication with the processor 1022. The infraredtransmitter 1030 and the infrared receiver 1032 make up, in effect, aninfrared transceiver. The DSU 1014 may include a unique identifier 1034.The unique identifier 1034 is used within the overall system to locateeach particular DSU 1014. The processor 1022 may be activatedintermittently through an activation timer 1036 as is commonly known toone having ordinary skill in the art.

The operation of an exemplary embodiment of the DSU 1014 is shown inFIG. 15 of the drawings. The processor 1022 contains an algorithm thatmay be stored in a chip set embedded on a printed circuit board withinthe DSU 1014 that is used to control and process data for the variouselements of the DSU 1014. The DSU 1014 is normally in a low power stateto conserve battery power. The infrared transmitter 1030 is enabled fora specified time and the signal received from the infrared receiver 1032is checked.

A low paper flag is generated if the infrared receiver 1032 detectsinfrared light from the infrared transmitter 1030. At the end of theinfrared enable period the infrared transmitter 1030 is disabled. Apaper low flag is reset if the infrared receiver 1032 does not detectinfrared light from the infrared transmitter 1030. The status of thepaper low flag is then transmitted using the communications facility.The battery 1026 level is also checked after each DSU 1014 activation.If the battery 1026 level is low this status is transmitted using thecommunications facility. After the activation cycle is complete the DSU1014 is placed into a low power state and once again waits for theactivation timer to activate the processor 1022.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a system including a plurality of DSUs1014, data communication units (DCUs) 1038, and a washroom monitoringstation (WMS) 1040. Uniquely identified DSUs 1038 may be located withinvarious types of washroom dispensers. The dispensers are placed within afirst washroom 1042 and a second washroom 1014. Each of the six DSUs1014 as shown in FIG. 16 communicate with either one of a pair of DCUs1038. Typically the DSUs 1014 within one washroom 1042, 1044 willcommunicate with the same DCU. It is to be understood, however, thatthis arrangement may depend upon the proximity of the DCU 1038 to theDSU 1014, particularly for wireless communications. Other arrangementsare possible such that a washroom may span across one or more DCUs 1038.Alternatively, a number of washrooms may be in communication with asingle DCU 1038 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

The DCUs 1038 may intercommunicate using a standard communicationsmechanism as is commonly known to one having ordinary skill in the art.The system can be monitored from the washroom monitoring station (WMS)1040. The WMS 1040 is in communication with the DCUs 1038. The WMS 1040displays information regarding the status of each DSU 1014 and DCU 1038,including but not limited to product low status, battery 1026 status andcommunications integrity. The WMS 1040 may be a dedicated applicationrunning on a personal computer (PC) with functions including, but notlimited to, printing reports and exporting data in various formats. TheWMS 1040 may also be based around a PC running a web browser where eachDCU 1038 in the system serves web pages containing information on DSUs1014 and DCUs 1038 in the system. In addition, all or part of thefunctions of the WMS 1040 may be included within a dedicated displayunit.

FIG. 17 of the drawings shows one exemplary embodiment of the internalarrangement of the DCU 1038. The electronics of the DCU 1038 may bepowered from a suitable power supply 1048. The DCU 1038 includes aprocessor 1050 that is connected to three communications elements. Theprocessor 1050 contains an algorithm, which in this embodiment is storedin a chip set embedded on a printed circuit board within the DSU 1014,and which is used to control and process data for the various elementsof the DSU 1014. The first communication element 1046 is dedicated tocommunications with DSUs 1014. The communication element 1046 is atransceiver with wired and wireless capability. The standards adoptedfor the communications element 1046 is matched to the DSU 1014communications.

The second communication element 1052 may be dedicated to communicationswith other DCUs 1038 and WMS 1040. The second communication element 1052is based upon one or more standards including but not limited to IEEE802.3i (Ethernet 10BaseT) and IEEE 802.11b (11 Mhz WiFi). In thismanner, the DCUs 1038 can be connected using standard networkingtechnologies. The DCU 1038 communications run over a suitable networkprotocol such as TCP/IP. This allows an HTTP web server to beincorporated within each DCU 1038 so that web pages can be served to aweb browser located on the network. The DCU 1038 may be connected to alocal area network (LAN) through a standard RJ45 socket. Use of the webbrowser will allow a user to navigate through information contained inthe DCU 1038. To ensure that only authorized users can accessinformation in the DCU 1038, password protection may be implemented inthe web server. A PDA may be used so as to allow for flexibilityregarding locations in which a user may access information in the DCU.

The third communications element 1054 is dedicated to communicationsallowing the DCU 1038 to be configured. The third communications element1054 is based upon one or more standards including but not limited toEIA RS232. Through this communications element 1054 the DCU 1038 can beconfigured for operation. A non-volatile memory 1056 is used to storeconfiguration information so that the DCU 1038 retains configuration andother useful information during power down. The DCU 1038 has a uniqueidentifier 1058 so as to allow for the DCU 1038 to be located andidentified.

FIG. 18A of the drawings shows an automatic roll towel dispenser 1060.It is to be understood, however, that various other types of dispenserssuch as folded products or individually stacked products such as diapersand feminine products may be used in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. For instance, dispensers describedin co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/750,238 entitled “Dispenser with Electronic Sensing Device to ControlDelivered Sheet Length” filed Dec. 31, 2003 may be used. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/750,238 is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety for all purposes.

Referring back to FIG. 18A a mechanical lever 1062 arranged on a pivot1064 may be used to determine when a product low condition has beenreached. When a full paper roll 1068 is placed into the dispenser 1060the lever 1062 reaches its furthest extent. A micro-switch 1066 or othersuitable device located near the pivot 1064 may be used to send a signalto a dispenser sensor unit (DSU) 1014 through either a hard-wiredconnection or wirelessly. Other devices commonly known in the art suchas, but not limited to an analog device can be used to sense the fullrange of the paper roll 1068 size to serve as a “fuel gauge.” In thisinstance, the amount of product remaining may be reported as 10%, 20%,30%, etc. Any sensor commonly known in the art may be used such as arotation sensor or infrared sensors. Another example of a device thatmay be used to sense the fullness of the paper roll 1068 size is avariable resistor. When the lever 1062 reaches the point at which themicro-switch 1066 is thrown, the DSU 1014 may signal a low productcondition. It is to be understood, however, that other mechanisms ofsensing product low may be used such as the infrared method describedpreviously. Additionally, the DSU 1014 may include only electricalcomponents in certain embodiments but may alternatively include bothelectrical and mechanical components such as the micro-switch 1066,pivot 1064 and lever 1062 in other embodiments.

FIG. 33 shows a dispenser 1000 in which a paper stack 1018 is usedinstead of the paper roll 1068 of FIGS. 18A and 18B. The mechanicallever 1062 may be arranged on pivot 1064 and may be used to determinewhen a product low condition has been reached in a manner similar tothat of FIGS. 18A and 18B. Here, however, mechanical lever 1062 contactsthe upper portion of paper stack 1018.

Referring generally back to FIG. 18A, in accordance with anotherexemplary embodiment, the system can also signal product usage for abroad range of product dispensers. This is described in detail in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,360,181 and 6,411,920, which are incorporated by referencein their entirety herein for all purposes. As paper is dispensedautomatically, a rotation sensor 1072 attached to one of the pinchrollers 1070 determines how much paper is dispensed. After product hasbeen dispensed, the paper length passed through the pinch rollers 1070is signaled to the DCU 1038. The rotation sensor 1072 may be a rotaryencoder type, its output being connected to the DSU 1014. It is to beunderstood, however, that any other sensor type capable of detectingrotary movement may be used with the present invention such as a movingmagnet and reed switch combination, a photo encoder, or a photointerrupter with slotted wheel. Information on product usage collectedfrom respective dispensers and associated products can be processed andreported through the WMS 1040. The capability of detecting a product lowcondition provides a method for replenishing an inventory of product.Through a database the system keeps a record of the number of times thata low supply level for the respective dispensers and associated productshas been alerted. The user may be responsible for entering product typefor a respective dispenser manually. A method of recording the currentinventory and then automatically reordering and billing a customer forthe amount of product consumed is provided as another aspect of theinvention.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the DSU 1014 maydetermine the type of product in use by interfacing directly orindirectly with the product recognition part of the dispenser 1060.Referring to FIG. 18B, the position of a paper roll 1068 within thedispenser 1060 is shown. The paper roll 1068 is suspended between twospring arms 1074 that are attached to the side wall of the dispenser1060. An RFID reader 1076 is located on one of the spring arms 1074 andis in communication with a DSU 1014. Embedded within the paper roll 1068is an RFID tag 1078 positioned in proximity to the RFID reader 1076.

The RFID tag 1078 contains information relating to the type of paperroll 1068. In use the DSU 1014 reads the contents of the RFID tag 1078and signals the product type information to the DCU 1038. If no RFID tag1078 is discovered or if an unrecognized RFID tag 1078 is identified,this status is signaled to the DCU 1038. The DCU 1038 has the option ofenabling the low product reporting function if “recognized paper” isused. RFID technology is known and understood by those skilled in theart, and a detailed explanation thereof is not necessary for purposes ofdescribing the present invention. Additionally, it is to be understoodthat the present invention includes exemplary embodiments where othermechanisms are used to identify the product. For instance, a bar codereader or other identification mechanism such as a label, logo, magneticstrip, “smart” tag, hologram or luminescence/fluorescence may be used inaccordance with other exemplary embodiments. The DSU 1014 may includethe RFID reader 1076 or bar code reader or other mechanism, or the RFIDreader 1076 or bar code reader or other mechanism may be separatecomponents from the DSU 1014 that communicate with the DSU 1014.

The DSU 1014 may employ a direct connection in that the electronics andsoftware associated with the DSU 1014 are built into or subsumed withinthe electronics of the dispenser 1060. Alternatively, an indirectconnection may be employed such that a separate electrical path is madebetween the DSU 1014 and the dispenser 1060 electronics such as digitalinputs and outputs or a serial data link.

In another exemplary embodiment, with reference to FIG. 18A, the DSU1014 can signal a paper blockage or jam in conjunction with themechanism for detecting product low and the mechanism for detectingproduct usage. When the mechanism for dispensing paper is activated,this action can be detected by the DSU 1014 by interfacing directly orindirectly to the paper activation sensor of the dispenser as describedabove and as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/750,238.If the DSU 1014 detects that no paper is dispensed and that there ispaper remaining on the paper roll 1068 then a paper jam can be signaledto the DCU 1038. This signal can be used to indicate that the dispenser1060 needs to be serviced.

FIGS. 19A and 19B of the drawings show similar embodiments as describedabove for an automatic roll towel dispenser 1060 but in relation to anautomatic soap dispenser 1088 such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.6,209,752, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein forall purposes. Soap may be automatically dispensed from a soap refillcartridge 1082 out of a soap nozzle 1086 by a soap dispensing mechanism1084. In this embodiment, the DSU 1014 also contains an electrostaticproximity sensor 1080 to detect the presence of soap in the soap refillcartridge 1082.

The electrostatic proximity sensor 1080 uses the difference indielectric strength between a full and a partially empty soap refillcartridge 1082 to determine a product low condition. Other sensor typescapable of detecting the presence of product such as infrared sensors,mechanical levers and mechanical strain gauges are appropriate and maybe used for both automatic or manual soap dispensers 1088 or otherdispensers 1060. The proximity sensor 1080 is positioned within thedispenser 1088 at a point such that it can detect when soap has reachedthe pre determined low point. In use the DSU 1014 periodically checksthe proximity sensor 1080 and at a predefined point signals to the DCU1038 when a low product condition exists. In another embodiment, the DSU1014 interfaces directly or indirectly to the electronics responsiblefor operating the dispensing of soap. The DSU 1014 can then signalproduct usage to the DCU 1038. One example of a liquid product dispenserthat may be used to determine usage through weighing or shot size may befound in U.S. Pat. No. 6,411,920 that is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety for all purposes.

In a further embodiment, the DSU 1014 contains an RFID reader or scanner1076 positioned close to that part of the dispenser 1088 carrying thesoap refill cartridge 1082. The soap refill cartridge 1082 carriesidentification in the form of an RFID tag 1078 and at a position suchthat the RFID reader 1076 can read the RFID tag 1078. The RFID tag 1078contains information relating to the type of soap product containedwithin the soap refill cartridge 1082. In use, the DSU 1014 reads thecontents of the RFID tag 1078 and signals this information to the DCU1038. If no tag is discovered or if an unrecognized RFID tag 1078 isidentified, this status is also transmitted to the DCU 1038. The DCU1038 has the option of disabling the low product reporting function if“unrecognized soap” is used.

Various other exemplary embodiments also have the ability to enable aproduct low display feature or other higher features if the system doesnot recognize products. The system will still be able to dispenseproducts even if they are unrecognized. The system may be disabled,however, temporarily to prevent damage to the dispenser or to preventover or under dispensing if unrecognized product is detected. The systemmay not “lock out” unrecognized product as a default setting may beemployed to ensure a sufficient amount of unrecognized product may bedispensed. This feature can be applied to other product formats such as,but not limited to, folded paper, diapers, feminine products and thelike.

The capability of detecting product low and the capability of detectingproduct type together provide a method for replenishing an inventory ofproduct. Through a database the system may keep a record of the numberof times that a low supply level for the recognized product has beenalerted. A method of recording the current inventory and thenautomatically reordering and billing a customer for the amount ofproduct consumed is provided as another aspect of the invention. FIG. 30shows a sequence diagram of the product consumption and automaticreordering mechanism. The product consumption process and the automaticreordering process are shown as two separate processes operating upon acommon inventory database. The database may be held on the WMS 1040 ormay be held on a database at a central location.

The product consumption diagram in FIG. 30 shows the WMS 1040 checkingfor product low alerts. Alerts are associated with specified producttypes through the product identification feature. When an alert isannunciated the product is decremented in the inventory database. If thedatabase is hosted on the WMS 1040 then decrementing the database may becarried out locally. If the database is hosted remotely then it may bedecremented by sending a message to the database through the Internet.When the alert is cancelled, the process returns to looking for newalerts.

The automatic product reordering diagram in FIG. 30 shows a productdelivery updating the inventory level. The inventory level is thenchecked until it drops below a pre-defined minimum. Product is thenautomatically reordered. This process may be part of the overalldatabase operation. If the database is hosted on the WMS 1040 thenre-ordering can be carried out by email or other such method. If thedatabase is hosted centrally then re-ordering can be incorporated intoan overall product inventory management process.

With reference to FIG. 20 of the drawings, an exemplary embodiment ofthe operation of a system is shown. FIG. 20 shows two identicalwashrooms, first washroom 1042 and second washroom 1044. The firstwashroom 1042 is fitted with a first towel dispenser 1090, a firsttissue dispenser 1092, and a first soap dispenser 1094. The secondwashroom 1044 is fitted with a second towel dispenser 1096, a secondtissue dispenser 1098 and a second soap dispenser 1100. Each dispenseris fitted with a dispenser sensor unit (DSU) 1014 and all have the samebasic specification of product low detection mechanism, wirelesstransmitter and battery 1026 with battery level sensor 1028. Thetransmitter operates in the frequency range 902 MHz to 920 MHz on FM ata maximum output level of 1 mW.

DSUs 1014 from each washroom 1042 and 1044 transmit to separate DCUs1102 and 1104. Each DCU 1102 and 1104 has a corresponding wirelessreceiver. FIG. 20 shows a facilities management suite, part of whichincludes a WMS 1040. The WMS 1040 and both DCUs 1102 and 1104communicate over 10 BaseT Ethernet through a switch device or hub 102.The WMS 1040 is also connected to a standard telephone network 1110 sothat relevant alerts can be made to a cell phone 1112 carried by ajanitor or maintenance personnel.

In this embodiment, the function of the DCUs 1102 and 1104 is to receiveand process signals from the DSUs 1090, 1092, 1094, 1096, 1098 and 1100.Each DCU 1102 and 1104 relay alerts to indicate low product, lowbatteries, or other faults to the WMS 1040. In addition, each DCU 1102and 1104 includes a web server so that information may be viewed from aweb browser running on a computer 1106 attached to the network. If thenetwork is connected to the Internet, the information may be viewedremotely.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the function of the WMS1040 is to receive and process alerts from the DSUs 1090, 1092, 1094,1096, 1098, and 1100 in its configuration. Alerts are displayed and canbe audibly annunciated by the WMS 1040. In addition some or all alertscan be sent to the cell phone 1112. The preferred method of annunciationto a cell phone 1112 is through the short message service (SMS) that isnormally a feature available from most cell phone service providers.However, the system is not limited to this method of annunciation andcan include alerts via email, radio paging and audible alerts bytelephone.

The communication in FIG. 20 may be bi-directional in that the DSUs1090, 1092, 1094, 1096, 1098, and 1100 or dispensers associatedtherewith may be reprogrammed or controlled by the PC and web browser1106, DCUs 1102, 1104, the WMS 1040, or by cell phone 1112. Electricalcontrol circuits or motors contained within various dispensers 1000,1060, or 1088 may be in communication with the aforementioned componentssuch that the amount of sheet material or soap dispensed from thedispenser can be controlled remotely. For instance, the user may throughthe WMS 1040 adjust the amount of time a motor in a dispenser 1088 isrun, thus causing the dispenser 1088 to dispense at a different amount.Bi-directional controlling may be advantageous in that the adjustment ismade remotely without a janitor or maintenance personnel actuallyvisiting the washroom.

It is to be understood that in accordance with various exemplaryembodiments, the WMS 1040 may communicate directly with the DSU 1014without the need for the DCU 1038 to be present.

The drawings in FIGS. 21-26 are sequence diagrams that show particularsets of activities and events between washroom users, components of thesystem and janitorial functions. FIG. 21 shows a product low alert andrefill sequence. The janitor or maintenance personnel periodicallychecks the status of the dispensers in the system from the WMS 1040 andtakes action to refill a dispenser when a product low alert occurs. FIG.22 is a similar diagram to that of FIG. 21 except where the alert ismade to a cell phone 1112 held by the janitor or maintenance personnelso that the WMS 1040 does not need to be checked periodically.

FIG. 23 shows a dispenser battery low alert followed by a battery 1026change out by the janitor or maintenance personnel. FIG. 24 shows a DSU1014 communications failure and subsequent alert. The failure isdetected by the DCU 1038 since the DCU 1038 receives product statussignals from the DSU 1014. When these disappear after a predeterminedperiod of time an alert is generated. The alert is cleared once thesystem has been serviced.

FIG. 25 shows the DSU 1014 incorporating product recognition whererecognized product is being used. In this instance, higher features suchas product low status may be activated. FIG. 26 shows a DSU 1014 withproduct recognition where unrecognized product is being used. In thisinstance, the higher level features that allow the user to monitor thestatus of a dispenser are disabled. However, the dispenser will still beconfigured to dispense recognized product.

With reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B an embodiment of the control ofdispenser parameters will now be described. Dispenser parameters can bedefined as, but not limited to, shot size for soap dispensers or airfreshener dispensers, sheet length for towel or tissue dispensers, timedelay, light sensitivity, and volume. FIGS. 19A and 19B show anautomatic soap dispenser 1088, but it is not the intent to limit thescope of the invention to one type of dispenser. Various types ofdispensers may be used in this aspect of the invention, the automaticsoap dispenser 1088 is used for sake of example.

Typically a dispenser 1088 of this type dispenses a fixed amount ofproduct for each use. This specific amount is generally referred to asthe shot size. The shot size is normally fixed for a particular type ofdispenser. In an embodiment of the DSU 1014 that contains acommunications transceiver and where the DSU 1014 is connected directlyor indirectly to the electronics concerned with controlling thedispensing of soap, the administrator of a system can change the shotsize by signaling to the DSU. The administrator may do this from the WMS1040 or it may be done from a cell phone 1112 or other component of thesystem. Therefore, the present invention provides in one embodiment asystem that allows one to communicate to the DSU 1014 or productdispenser 1088 as opposed to a system that is one directional. Thisfeature would be used, for example, to set a larger shot size for areaswhere users typically have more heavily soiled hands or to select asmaller shot size where a more concentrated type of soap is being used.In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, the DSU 1014 may includean electronic component that is capable of communicating with the DCU1038, and the DSU 1014 may include a mechanical component that iscapable of varying the shot size or other dispensing parameter of thedispenser 1088.

Additionally, where the dispenser 1088 has the capability to recognizethe type of product being used and sets the shot size and/or time delaybetween dispenses automatically, the user has the ability to overridethe automatic setting. In a similar manner as described above, FIGS. 18Aand 18B show another example specifically related to a roll toweldispenser 1060 with the capability to recognize the type of productbeing used and to set the towel length and/or time delay betweendispenses automatically. In this exemplary embodiment, the user may havethe ability to override the automatic setting.

Referring to FIGS. 27A and 27B another embodiment is shown. With thecapability of controlling dispenser 1060 parameters, additional featurescan be built into dispensers 1060. FIGS. 27A and 27B show front and sideviews, respectively, of a roll towel dispenser 1060 similar to the onein FIG. 18A. The dispenser 1060 is fitted with a display module that maybe a visual display 1114. The visual display 1114 may be of the liquidcrystal type (LCD) or other suitable display technology eithermonochrome or color, text and/or graphics. The visual display 1114 isconnected to the DSU 1014 that in turn is connected directly orindirectly to the dispenser electronics. FIG. 29 shows an exemplaryembodiment of the internal arrangement of a DSU 1014 that may be used inthe dispenser 1060 in FIGS. 27A and 27B. The DSU 1014 is fitted with awireless transceiver or communications electronics 1024 to receivecontrol signals from a system administrator. The product low sensor maybe of any type previously discussed such as an infrared transmitter andreceiver 1030 and 1032.

A further embodiment may be a stand-alone washroom display unit 1124,one not connected with a dispenser 1060 as shown for example in FIG. 32.The washroom display unit 1124 may have the same basic internalarrangement as described above but without the product low sensor. Thewashroom display unit 1124 may communicate with a DCU 1038 that is incommunication with a WMS 1040. The WMS 1040 may be configured so as tocommunicate back through the DCU 1038 to the washroom display unit 1124in order to vary the message sent by the washroom display unit 1124. Thechange in message may be made automatically or may be done through anoperator.

In use, the visual display 1114, in both embodiments described above,can show various information to the users of a washroom including, butnot limited to, prompting the users to wash their hands thoroughly,advertising information and weather alerts. The system administratorthrough the WMS 1040 may change display information at any time.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B. Here, the dispenser1060 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B but insteadincludes a device or appliance for issuing audio messages. The dispenser1060 includes an audio module 1116. The audio module 1116 may use solidstate technology with pre-recorded voice or text-to-voice as examplesthat may be updated and changed remotely. The audio module 1116 may beconnected to the DSU 1014 that in turn is connected directly orindirectly to the dispenser 1116 electronics. FIG. 29 shows the internalarrangement of the DSU 1014 that may be used in one exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The DSU 1014 is fitted with a wirelesstransceiver or communication electronics 1024 so as to receive controlsignals from a system administrator. The audio module 1116 may bestand-alone, such as shown in FIG. 32 and described above only withaudio messages, or may be incorporated into another item such as an airfreshener, towel dispenser or the like. The audio module 1116 canbroadcast music, white noise or various information to users of awashroom including, but not limited to, special promotions, events orreminders to wash one's hands before leaving the washroom. Theadministrator can adjust particular parameters of the device such as,but not limited to, time intervals between each message, volume, gendervoice, multiple languages and the like. The system administrator throughthe WMS 1040 may change audio information at any time. Additionally, astand alone module may be included in certain exemplary embodiments thatdisplays visual messages that may be in communication with a DCU 1038either wirelessly or by hard wire. The module could also be configuredto display both visual and audio messages.

When configured as a stand-alone, the audio module 1116 is not connectedwith a dispenser 1060. This exemplary embodiment has the same basicinternal arrangement as described above but without the product lowsensor or product recognition. One type of such device is described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/950,965 titled “A Device ForEncouraging Hand Wash Compliance” filed Sep. 27, 2004, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes. It isto be understood, however, that the audio module 1116 may be configuredto display only visual messages or both audio and visual messages inother exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment. Here, acamera 1132 is positioned so as to be capable of viewing a floor of awashroom. The camera 1132 is capable of viewing water 1134 that may bepresent on the floor from an overflowed sink, toilet or urinal.Additionally, the camera 1132 may be capable of viewing debris 1136,such as used paper towels, that may be thrown onto the washroom floor.The camera 1132 may be configured so as to be capable of viewing onlyabout three inches or less from the top of the floor of the washroom inorder to address any privacy concerns.

The camera 1132 may be in communication with a DCU 1138 that is in turnin communication with a WMS 1040. A user may monitor the washroom floorthrough the WMS 1040 and alert maintenance personnel if water 1134and/or debris 1136 are detected. Additionally or alternatively, thesystem may be configured so that the camera 1132, DCU 1038 or WMS 1040may automatically alert the presence of water 1134 and/or debris 1136should they become present.

An automatic device for flushing a urinal or toilet normally uses aninfrared detector to determine when the urinal has been used. Inaccordance with the present invention, such a device may incorporate aunit similar to a DSU 1014 to signal use of the urinal or toilet and toprompt the user to wash his hands before leaving the washroom 1042though a washroom display as described previously in FIG. 27A, 27B, 28Aor 28B.

Other exemplary embodiments are also included that involve devices andfunctions peripheral to the operation of dispensers 1060 but pertinentto the functioning of a washroom in regard to monitoring and controllingvarious equipment. The first embodiment describes an overflow sensor1118 as shown for example in FIG. 31 for individual sinks, toilets,urinals, and/or floor areas adjacent thereto to provide advanced warningof a water overflow or flood situation. The overflow sensor 1118 may becapable of being fitted discreetly to a sink, toilet or urinal fordetecting the presence of water. The overflow sensor may have internalstructure similar to the DSU 1014 as previously described in order tocommunicate with a DCU 1038.

The overflow sensor 1118 includes but is not limited to the following:moisture detector, pressure sensor and float switch. A moisture detectormay include a resistance bridge in which contact with water forms oneside of the bridge. The bridge may be capable of detecting thedifference between an open circuit and resistances below 5 MOhm. Apressure sensor may include a water resistant diaphragm capable ofdetecting slight differences in pressure between the lack of water andimmersion in water above a nominal 2 cm or approximately 0.2 kPa. Afloat switch may include a small float attached to an arm that throws aswitch when water reaches a predetermined level.

The DSU 1014 may be housed in a waterproof case to protect theelectronics and battery 1026. In use, the overflow sensor 1118 detectsthe presence or absence of water. If the presence of water is sustainedfor a period of time in excess of the usual flushing period an alert issignaled to the DSU 1014 or other component in communication with theoverflow sensor 1118. For example, the overflow sensor 1118 may signalthe presence of water if water is detected for an amount of time over 20seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, or for an amount of time between 30 and45 seconds. The WMS 1040 administrator is alerted to an overflowcondition by the WMS 1040 and takes action should an alert occur. Asensor may be used with the DSU in order to detect the flow of water tofurther determine an overflow or potential flood condition. FIG. 22 is asimilar diagram except where the alert is made to a cell phone or PDA1112 held by the janitor or maintenance personnel so that the WMS 1040does not need to be checked periodically.

In addition, an apparatus may be included for monitoring and controllingthe flow of water to determine if excess water is being used by afaucet, toilet and/or urinal that is left running. A data communicationsunit 1038 may be in communication with a flow sensor 1130 as shown inFIG. 31. Further, a WMS 1040 may be included and may be in communicationwith the data communications unit 1038 and with the flow sensor (s) 1130through the data communications unit 1038. The WMS 1040 may beconfigured for indicating the flow of water when detected by the flowsensor(s) 1130. The flow sensor(s) 1130 may be selected from a varietyof sensors including, but not limited to, a rotating vane and/ordifferential pressure unit.

The following embodiments incorporate the ability for washroom devicesother than those previously described to utilize monitoring andcontrolling. The following are by way of example: An automatic airfreshener device typically uses a mechanism for periodically releasingan aerosol valve. Incorporation of a DSU 1014 into this device may beadvantageous. First, when the aerosol requires replacing, the DSU 1014may signal an alert instead of emitting an annoying sound, as is commonpractice. Second, the system could control when the air freshenerreleases the aerosol so that the product is used in an efficient way. ADSU 1014 may be incorporated into other devices used within a washroom1042 or 1044 for the purposes of monitoring or controlling, such aswaste receptacles, to determine when to empty or detect overflowsituations. The WMS 1040 administrator periodically checks the status ofthe waste receptacle sensors from the WMS 1040 and takes action shouldan alert occur.

A DSU 1014 may be incorporated into other devices used within a washroomfor the purposes of monitoring or controlling, such as waste receptaclesas previously mentioned, to determine when to empty or detect overflowsituations. A sensor 1128 for a waste receptacle 1126 includes but isnot limited to a mechanical switch, infrared or other proximity sensingdevice, strain gauge or pressure sensor. A mechanical switch can bemounted on to the lid of a waste receptacle 1126. When the receptacle1126 is full and the lid and switch remain open for an extended periodof time an alert can be signaled. Alternatively the switch can be usedto count the number of times the lid has been opened and closed. The DSU1014 can infer that the waste receptacle 1126 is full after a certainnumber of counts, pre-determined for each receptacle 1126 type. Aninfrared sensor can be mounted onto the side of the receptacle 1126 andso long as the liner used to contain the refuse is transparent, thesensor can be used to signal an alert when the level of refuse reaches aparticular point. A strain gauge or pressure sensor can be used to weighthe contents of the receptacle. At a pre-determined weight an alert canbe signaled.

FIG. 31 shows a waste receptacle 1126 that includes a waste receptaclesensor 1128 that may be in communication with the WMS 1040 through theDCU 1038 or other component such as the DSU 1014. Examples of devicesthat can be used are infrared measuring sensors or mechanical switches,however, it should be understood that other devices can be used. The WMS1040 administrator periodically checks the status of the wastereceptacle sensors 1128 from the WMS 1040 and takes action should analert occur. FIG. 22 shows a similar set up in which an alert is made toa cell phone 1112 held by the janitor or maintenance personnel so thatthe WMS 1040 does not need to be checked periodically.

A further embodiment provides the capability of monitoring and reportinghand washing compliance in public washrooms, nurses' and doctors'lounges and nursing stations in various units of healthcare, foodpreparation or food processing facilities. This embodiment may expand onpreviously discussed embodiments to measure washroom traffic or visitsas they relate to product usage and in conjunction with controllingdispenser parameters and any combination of audio, text or graphicsprompts to remind users to wash their hands before and after contactwith a patient or food or other to encourage, quantify and report handwashing compliance.

This exemplary embodiment has the capability of measuring usage which isdescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,878,381; 6,360,181; and6,411,920, the contents of all three are incorporated by reference intheir entirety herein for all purposes. With the use of the visualdisplay 1114 and audio module 1116 embodiments described, additionalfeatures can be added to monitor the washroom traffic and hand washingcompliance. FIG. 31 shows a first washroom 1042, that may be a malewashroom, and a second washroom 1044, that may be a female washroom.Door or entrance sensors 1120 are provided, as are stall door sensors1122 that are used to determine when the doors or stalls are opened orclosed or detect movement therewith. Sensors, such as but not limitedto, infrared or ambient light sensors may also or alternatively be usedto sense the presence of the user in the washrooms 1042, 1044. Eventsare time and date stamped to enable correlation of visits to thewashrooms 1042, 1044 with usage from, but not limited to, toweldispensers 1060, tissue dispensers 1060, soap dispensers 1088 and thelike to determine compliance. Such an arrangement may also include amagnet and associated read switch attached to the washroom 1042, 1044doors or to stall doors for detecting movement therewith.

In operation, a user would enter the washroom 1042 or 1044 and have hisor her presence noted by one of the sensors 1120 or 1122. As theindividual uses the dispenser 1060 or 1088, the displacement of theproduct is monitored and recorded. The products of such analysis mayfurther be stored in the memory area of the dispensers 1060 or 1088 forfurther analysis and/or retrieval. When the user leaves the washroom1042, 1044 this is also recorded by one of the sensors 1120 or 1122referenced above. Sensors that are used to monitor individuals in thewashroom 1042 or 1044 may be configured so as to be able to detect anddiscern the identity of individual users of the washroom throughmechanisms commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art,including but not limited to RFID technology or bar codes. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/950,965 titled “A Device For Encouraging HandWash Compliance” filed Sep. 27, 2004, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety herein for all purposes, shows various ways in whichhand washing compliance may be conducted.

The system can utilize non-network audio modules 1116 or visual displaydevices 1114 to send reminders continuously or intermittently or set tobroadcast in the event a user enters the washroom 1042 or 1044, entersand exits the stall and/or leaves the washroom 1042 or 1044 without acorrelating towel 1060 and/or soap dispenser 1088 event occurring. Withrespect to networked devices, the administrator can adjust particularparameters of the device such as but not limited to time intervalsbetween each message, volume, gender voice, multiple languages and thelike. The system administrator through the WMS 1040 may change audioinformation at any time.

An automatic device for flushing a urinal normally uses an infrareddetector to determine when the urinal or toilet has been used. Such adevice incorporating a DSU 1014 may be able to signal its use and promptthe user to wash their hands before leaving the washroom 1142 or 1044utilizing a washroom display or audio reminder as described previously.The system administrator through the WMS 1040 may change audio and/ordisplay information at any time. The functionality of the sensors,statistics, refill status of the dispensers, etc., can be monitored inreal-time by the administrator of the WMS 1040.

Various methods of identifying an individual such as but not limited toRFID, bar code, or keypad entry are known to those having ordinary skillin the art. The identity of the individual may be maintained in aprofile that could be accessed through the WMS 1040 in which is itmonitored and alerts sent in real time. An exemplary embodiment providesfor the ability to maintain the identity of the individual in a profilethat could be accessed through the WMS 1040. A discreet message could besent to the individual's cell phone 1112, pager or like to remind themthat they did not wash their hands before leaving the washroom 1042 or1044.

Sample Test Carried Out in Accordance with One Exemplary Embodiment

A system was tested in a washroom with the use of SCOTTFOLD® Towels,code 01999 (Loudon). Standard smart dispenser protocol was used. Aminimum of 200 events for males and females were obtained to discern aten percent difference between studies. One case of product will yieldabout 800 combined hand dries over about a 3½ day period. The hand driesbroke down to about 225 for females and 760 for males. Data wascollected in three study periods.

Study 1 was conducted for 3 to 4 days prior to using a verbal reminderin order to generate “control” usage data. Study 2 was conducted for 3to 4 days with a verbal reminder. Study 3 was conducted for 3 to 4 daysafter the verbal reminder to determine if usage decreases without thereminder.

Simple audio equipment (book case stereo system with repeat feature andindividual speakers) was installed in the ceiling above the washrooms.Ceiling tiles were modified to improve sound quality. CD's were used torecord and play the verbal reminder on a continuous loop with 45 secondsequences between each message. A female voice was used in the women'swashroom and a male voice was used in the men's washroom.

Two SCOTTFOLD® Dispensers, a data collection unit, five standard rollbathroom tissue dispensers and corresponding stall door sensors and twodoor sensors for the primary doors were also used in the experiment.

A door sensor was placed on the primary door to measure the number ofpeople coming in and out of the washroom. Events were time and datestamped. Bathroom tissue events were monitored to determine if theamount corresponded with the number of hand dries, specifically in thefemale washroom. The smart equipment measured the number of hand driesper study and number of towels per hand dry. The number of hand driesdivided by the number of washroom visits equals the percent compliance(#HD/#Visits=% Compliance).

A few “uncontrollable variables” existed in the experiment that maycause some variability in the data obtained. First, the number of“visits” measured in the studies does not take into account thepossibility of multiple people entering or exiting the washroom at thesame time. Second, there was no way of determining janitorial,maintenance or miscellaneous visits from true events. Finally, the doorsignals were manually counted. The data obtained may be found in Table 1below:

TABLE 1 Females # Female # Female # Female Towels/ Study # Visits StallEvents Hand Wash Hand Dry 1 (before) 279 243 226 1.85 2 (message) 241194 228 1.94 3 (after) 275 257 256 1.82 Percentage Percentage of HVisits/HD of Stall/Visits Wash/Visits Sig Diff 1 (before) % 87.10%81.00% A 2 (message) % 80.50% 94.61% B 3 (after) % 93.45% 93.09% B Males# Male # Male Stall # Male Hand Towels/ Study # Visits Events Wash HandDry 1 (before) 610 113 535 2.14 2 (message) 544  96 538 2.15 3 (after)518 103 511 1.98 Percentage Percentage of Stall of H Visits/HDEvent/Visits Wash/Visits Sig Diff 1 (before) % 18.52% 87.70% A 2(message) % 17.65% 98.90% B 3 (after) % 19.88% 98.65% B Females/MalesCombined # Female/ # # Towels/ Male Females/Males Females/Males HandStudy # Visits Stall Events Hand Wash Dry 1 (before) 889 356 761 2.05 2(message) 785 290 766 2.09 3 (after) 793 360 767 1.93 Percentage ofStall Percentage of Visits/HD Event/Visits H Wash/Visits Sig Diff 1(before) % 40.04% 85.60% A 2 (message) % 36.94% 97.58% B 3 (after) %45.40% 96.72% B

A 12.7 percent increase was found to exist between study 1 and study 2in the number of hand washes per visit to the rest room from the initialcontrol period to the period with the verbal reminder for both males andfemales. This increase infers that the verbal reminder influenced handwashing compliance. Additionally, an increase of 11.1 percent was foundto exist between study 1 and study 3.

Hand washing compliance remained at the higher level for the 4 dayperiod just after the verbal message was discontinued. It wasanticipated that hand washing compliance might gradually decrease whenthe verbal reminder was terminated. However, there was no discernabledifference between the results in study 2 and study 3. Additionaltesting may be desirable to determine how long the verbal messageinfluences compliance after stopping the message. Additionally oralternatively, it may be desirable to determine the amount of time thesame message played over and over remains effective.

Detailed Description of Representative Embodiments Added in the PresentContinuation-In-Part Application

The present Continuation-In-Part application builds upon the variousdispensers, washroom monitoring systems, and other devices previouslydiscussed. The information added in the present Continuation-In-Partapplication includes exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 35-41 andincludes other related embodiments as will be discussed. Generally, theinformation added in the present Continuation-In-Part applicationinvolves an apparatus that includes a dispenser 2000 configured with asensor 2020 capable of acquiring identification information of product2014 received in the dispenser 2000. “Identification information” of theproduct 2014 is meant to be broad enough to include knowledge of whetherthe product 2014 is in fact present and/or the particular type ofproduct 2014 that is present.

An exemplary embodiment of the dispenser 2000 is shown in FIG. 35. Thedispenser 2000 may be configured in a manner similar to a dispenser 10shown in FIG. 3. Briefly, the dispenser 2000 may include a support 2018for holding product 2014 that is configured into a roll. The support2018 may include a pair of roll holders 2010 and 2012 that rotatablymount arms 2006 and 2008 to side panels 2002 and 2004. The arms 2006 and2008 are received inside a core 2016 of the rolled product 2014. Theroll product 2014 may be dispensed from the dispenser 2000 by the handof the user or through a mechanical mechanism as previously discussed.

Although shown as having a pair of arms 2006 and 2008, it is to beunderstood that the support 2018 may be variously configured inaccordance with other exemplary embodiments. For example, the support2018 may have but a single arm that extends between side panels 2002 and2004, as opposed to a pair of arms 2006 and 2008, in accordance withother exemplary embodiments.

The dispenser 2000 is used in conjunction with a sensor 2020 that may belocated on the side panel 2002. However, in accordance with otherexemplary embodiments, the sensor 2020 may be located at any portion ofthe dispenser 2000 or may be located remote from the dispenser 2000. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 35, the sensor 2020 includes anelectrical circuit 2022. The dispenser 2000 may be configured so thatcompletion of the electrical circuit 2022 causes the sensor 2020 toindicate that a particular type of product 2014 is present in thedispenser 2000. The sensor 2020 may be configured in a variety ofmanners in accordance with different exemplary embodiments. For example,the sensor 2020 may include a light that illuminates when a particulartype of product 2014 is present within the dispenser 2000. The sensor2020 may display a message or a sound in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments that indicates a particular type of product 2014 is present.

Alternatively, the sensor 2020 may include an electrical component thatgenerates a signal responsive to a particular type of product 2014 inthe dispenser 2000 that is then sent to a processor that uses thisinformation in a desired way. Still further, the sensor 2020 may beconfigured into a dispenser sensor unit 1014 as previously discussed inwhich identification information can be communicated to a datacollection unit 1038 and further to a washroom monitoring station 1040for eventual use and analysis. It is to be understood that the sensor2020 need not be a separate component whose only function is to indicatethe identification information about the product 2014. The sensor 2020may be incorporated into other electrical components located either withthe dispenser 2000 or remote from the dispenser 2000. Aside fromdetecting identification information about the product 2014, the sensor2020 may also be incorporated into electrical components or softwareprograms capable of performing other functions. As such, in the broadestsense, the sensor 2020 is an element, electrical circuit, or softwareprogram that is capable of detecting identification information aboutthe product 2014 by way of knowing that the electrical circuit 2022 iscompleted.

Referring to FIG. 35, the electrical circuit 2022 has a contact 2023located on the arm 2006, and the electrical circuit 2022 has anothercontact 2024 located on the opposite arm 2008. When product 2014 is notpresent in the dispenser 2000, the electrical circuit 2022 is notcomplete because a gap will exist between the contacts 2023 and 2024. Inthis instance, the sensor 2020 may indicate that the electrical circuit2022 is not complete and hence the system will be able to recognize thata particular type of product 2014 is not present in the dispenser 2000.The system may be arranged in a variety of manners in this regard. Forexample, if an automatic dispensing mechanism as previously discussed isemployed, the mechanism may be configured with any number of previouslydescribed automatic dispensing components that allow the product 2014 tobe dispensed from the dispenser 2000 per a standard dispensing routine.In this manner, product 2014 may be dispensed from the dispenser 2000even if a particular type of desired product 2014 is not present.

A particular type of desired product 2014 may have a core 2016 with ametal coating 2040 located on the inside of the core 2016. Any type ofconductive metal or substance may be applied to the inside of the core2016. For example, the metal coating 2040 may be a layer of copper oraluminum foil that is applied to some or all of the inside of the core2016. Additionally, other types of electrically conductive materialssuch as an electrically conductive metal-oxide, iron filings, orelectrically conductive silicon may be used. Insertion of the product2014 into the dispenser 2000 causes the contacts 2023 and 2024 to touchthe metal coating 2040 so that the electrical circuit 2022 may becompleted from one arm 2006 to the other 2008. In this manner, thesensor 2020 will know that the electrical circuit 2022 is complete andconsequently that a particular known type of product 2014 is present inthe dispenser 2000. Details of the electrical circuit 2022, such as apower supply thereto, may be provided in any manner commonly known toone having ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are included for the completion of theelectrical circuit 2022. For example, an electrically conductiveadhesive 2042 may be applied to the core 2016 for holding the core 2016together and/or holding sheets onto the core 2016. The electricallyconductive adhesive 2042 may be, for example, glue that has iron filingsmixed therein, or the electrically conductive adhesive 2042 may beelectrically conductive silicon. As such, the core 2016 may be made frommaterials that are electrically conductive in order to complete theelectrical circuit 2022 so as to identify the product 2014. When formedas a coreless roll, the product 2014 may be treated with an electricallyconductive material during converting when a taffy stick part of theroll is formed so as to be electrically conductive and hence capable ofbeing identified by the dispenser 2000.

The dispenser 2000 may be configured as previously discussed so as todispense in a particular type of manner once a particular known product2014 is present therein. Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser2000 may be a part of a larger system that may use the identificationinformation provided by the sensor 2020 upon completion of theelectrical circuit 2022 for a variety of purposes. These types ofsystems have been previously discussed in the present application andmay be, for example, the washroom monitoring station 1040 that employsone or more data communication units 1038 that likewise communicate withone or more data sensing units 1014.

FIG. 36 shows a different exemplary embodiment in which the metalcoating 2040 of FIG. 35 is not present. Here, the arm 2006 of thedispenser 2000 has a pair of first contacts 2024 located thereon. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the electrical circuit 2022 need not beopened between the arms 2006 and 2008 but may be contained upon a singlearm 2006. As a space exists between the first contacts 2024 theelectrical circuit 2022 will be in an open state so that the sensor 2020will indicate that a particular type of product 2014 is not present onthe arm 2006.

A particular type of product 2014 with a core 2016 is shown in FIG. 36as having a conductive element 2030 located thereon. The conductiveelement 2030 is made of a pair of electrically conductive rings that arelocated on the inside of the core 2016. The rings are in electricalcommunication with one another through one or more wires, films or otherelements. Placement of the known product 2014 onto the arm 2006 causesthe first contacts 2024 to align with the conductive elements 2030 sothat the electrical circuit 2022 is completed and hence causes thesensor 2020 to indicate that a known product 2014 is present. Thisidentification information may be incorporated into the various,previously discussed systems. For example, the dispenser 2000 maydispense according to a prescribed code for a particular known product2014. If an unknown product 2014 is placed into the dispenser 2000, thedispenser 2000 may be configured with a separate mechanism for knowingthat unknown product 2014 is present and may be run under a defaultprogram for dispensing such product.

FIG. 37 shows one exemplary embodiment of the dispenser 2000 in whichthe electrical circuit 2022 is configured so as to identify two or moreparticular types of product 2014. In this exemplary embodiment, a pairof first contacts 2024, a pair of second contacts 2026, and a pair ofthird contacts 2028 are located on the arm 2006. The sensor 2020 may bein communication with the contacts 2024, 2026 and 2028 so that thesensor 2020 is capable of indicting whether the electrical circuit 2022is completed with respect to each set of contacts 2024, 2026 and 2028.Also shown in FIG. 37 are a first type of product 2036 and a second typeof product 2038. The first type of product 2036, may be, for example, aroll of single-ply paper towels while the second type of product 2038 isa double-ply roll of paper towels.

The first type of product 2036 has a pair of conductive elements 2030and 2032 located on the inside of the core 2016. The second type ofproduct 2038 has an additional conductive element 2034 also located onthe inside of the core 2016. The conductive elements 2030, 2032 and 2034may be, for example, rings made from an electrically conductive materialthat is either applied to the outside of the inner surface of the core2016 or located in a recess of the inner surface of the core 2016.Placement of the first type of product 2036 into the dispenser 2000causes the core 2016 to be received by the arm 2006 so that theconductive element 2030 aligns with the first contacts 2024 and so thatthe conductive element 2032 aligns with the second contacts 2026. Theconductive element 2030 is made wide enough to extend between the firstcontacts 2024 and hence cause completion of the electrical circuit 2022representative of the first contacts 2024. The conductive element 2032is configured in a likewise manner so as to complete the electricalcircuit 2022 associated with the second contacts 2026 upon placement ofthe core 2016 onto the arm 2006. In this instance, the electricalcircuit 2022 will be closed with respect to the first and secondcontacts 2024 and 2026, and the electrical circuit 2022 will be openwith respect to the third contacts 2028, so that the sensor 2020 willknow that the first type of product 2036 is located in the dispenser2000. The term “closed” simply means that a part of the electricalcircuit 2022 becomes closed.

Placement of the second type of product 2038 into the dispenser 2000will cause the conductive elements 2030, 2032 and 2034 to align with thefirst, second and third contacts 2024, 2026 and 2028 on the arm 2006. Inthis instance, the electrical circuit 2022 will become closed withrespect to the first, second and third contacts 2024, 2026 and 2028 sothat the sensor 2020 will know that the second type of product 2038 ispresent in the dispenser 2000. In this manner, the dispenser 2000 may bearranged in a variety of manners so that identification information fromvarious types of product 2014 may be obtained and used in the previouslydisclosed exemplary embodiments for desired dispensing cycles,monitoring, purchasing, or the like.

The electrical circuit 2022 may be arranged so that a variety ofcombinations are possible to identify various types of products 2014.For example, if only a single pair of the contacts 2024, 2026, or 2028are closed, the system will be capable of distinguishing between threedifferent types of products 2014. Further, the closing of differentcombinations of the contacts 2024, 2026 and 2028 may be used to indicateadditional types of product 2014 that may be identified in the dispenser2000. Still further, additional contacts may be employed, for example onthe other arm 2008, and incorporated into the electrical circuit 2022 sothat any number of various products 2014 can be identified in thesystem.

FIG. 38 shows another exemplary embodiment of the dispenser 2000 inwhich the electrical circuit 2022 is not present. The sensor 2020 may bevariously configured in order to acquire identification informationabout the product 2014 aside from making use of the electrical circuit2022 as previously discussed. For example, the sensor 2020 may be anolfactory sensor that is capable of detecting a particular smell uniqueto the product 2014 to be capable of identifying the type of product2014 and then using this information in the system as previouslydiscussed. As shown in FIG. 39A, the product 2014 may be treated with anodor producing substance 2050 for identification purposes. Glue used toconstruct the core 2016 or to hold rolled towels onto the core 2016 maybe scented to provide the odor. Additionally or alternatively, a scentedmaterial, for example a scented oil or other substance, may be appliedto the edge of the rolled product 2014 for the aforementionedidentification. Further, the odor producing substance 2050 may beapplied to the dimpled area of the product 2014 if the product 2014 isconfigured into a coreless roll.

A variety of other substances and mechanisms known to one havingordinary skill in the art may be employed in order to provide a desiredodor to the product 2014. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment,the odor producing substance 2050 may be provided in a scented materialthat may be a sticker affixed to the core 2016, or dimpled area if acoreless roll is used. Removal of the sticker may break capsules thatdistribute the odor for identification. The scented sticker may beaffixed somewhere else on the dispenser 2000 to act as an odorfreshener.

The sensor 2020 will detect the odor of the product 2014 and mayassociate a particular odor with a particular product 2014. A variety ofsensors 2020, commonly known as an electronic nose, may be used in orderto detect an odor 2050. For example, one such type of electronic nosethat may be employed as the sensor 2020 is a Prometheus odor analyzerthat is sold by Alpha M. O. S. America having offices at 33 North RiverStreet, Hillsborough, N.J. Different types of odor 2050 may be appliedto different products 2014 so that the sensor 2020 may be able todistinguish between the various odors 2050 to identify different typesof products 2014.

It is to be understood that in accordance with certain exemplaryembodiments that the odor detected by the sensor 2020 need not be anodor capable of being detected by a human. In these instances, the odormay be generated by a chemical that is added to the product 2014 duringthe manufacturing process that is capable of being detected by thesensor 2020 while at the same time being undetectable by a human.

Additional exemplary embodiments exist in which the dispenser 2000carries a sensor 2020 that is configured for acquiring identificationinformation about the product 2014 through optical detection. As shownin FIG. 39B, the product 2014 has a fluorescent area 2044 present on oneside of the roll forming the product 2014. The fluorescent area 2044 maybe identified by the sensor 2020 in FIG. 38 so as to identify theproduct 2014. The intensity of the fluorescent area 2044 may be variedbetween different products 2014 so that the sensor 2020 is capable ofdistinguishing between the various types of products 2014.

The fluorescent area 2044 may be present from the material making up thecore 2016 or the sheets in the product 2014 that could be naturallyfluorescent. Further, the fluorescent area 2044 may be applied to theproduct 2014 by fluorescent pigments, paints or inks so as to render theproduct 2014 UV-responsive. In this instance, the substance may besprayed onto the side of the rolled product during manufacturing. Thefluorescent area 2044 may be clear and invisible under normal light yetdetectable by the sensor 2020. Any type of sensor 2020 capable ofdetecting the fluorescent area 2044 may be employed. For example, afluorescent sensor manufactured by EMX Industries, Inc. having officesat 4564 Johnston Parkway, Cleveland, Ohio may be used in accordance withone exemplary embodiment.

The use of a fluorescent area 2044 may be desirable in that thesubstance, if used, to provide the UV marker may be incorporated intoadhesives or other necessary parts of the rolled product 2014. Also, thefluorescent area 2044 may be a substance that does not react with orotherwise impede the functionality of the rolled product 2014.Additionally, as the fluorescent area 2044 may be invisible under normallighting conditions, the product 2014 may be marked in an inconspicuousmanner to the end consumer. Although described as being applied to theside of the roll product 2014, the fluorescent area 2044 may be locatedat other portions on the product 2014 in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 39C shows a rolled product 2014 that has a side made of aparticular color 2046. The sensor 2020 may be configured so as toidentify the particular color 2046 and hence acquire identificationinformation about the product 2014. In this instance, the particularproduct 2014 may be associated with a particular color 2046. Althoughshown as encompassing the entire side of the rolled product 2014, it isto be understood that the color 2046 may be confined to only a portionof the side and/or core 2016 in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments. The color 2046 may be applied to the product 2014 in avariety of manners. For example, the color 2046 may be a pigmented dyethat is sprayed onto the side of the product 2014 during themanufacturing process.

The sensor 2020 used to detect the color 2046 may be a color sensor thatanalyzes and identifies a particular color. The sensor 2020 may emit amodulated white light that is reflected back from the color 2046 ontothe sensor 2020 and electronically filtered to its red, green and bluecomponents for color identification. One such type of color sensor 2020that may be employed is sold by Banner Engineering Corporation havingoffices located at 9714 10^(th) Ave. North, Minneapolis, Minn. Inaccordance with other exemplary embodiments, various colors 2046 may beapplied to the product 2014 so that the sensor 2020 is capable ofdistinguishing therebetween and hence identifying various types ofproduct 2014 that are associated with a particular color 2046. Althoughdescribed as being located on the side of the rolled product 2014, thecolor 2046 may be located at different points on the rolled product 2014in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 39D shows a product 2014 that has identification indicia 2048located on one side thereof. Although shown applied to the side of theroll, the identification indicia 2048 may be applied to the core 2016 inaccordance with other exemplary embodiments. The sensor 2020 is capableof reading the identification indicia 2048 to acquire identificationinformation of the product 2014. In this regard, the sensor 2020 mayinclude a charge-coupled device (CCD) that contains a matrix of lightsensitive photo sights known as pixels. When light reflected by theidentification indicia 2048 falls onto the CCD matrix, the image isdivided into small, discrete pixels. The sensor 2020 may include a microprocessor for analyzing a particular pattern of pixels to positivelyidentify a particular type of product 2014 upon seeing a correspondingidentification indicia 2048. Various examples of sensors 2020 capable ofbeing used in conjunction with the identification indicia 2048 may besupplied by Edmund Optics Inc., having offices at 101 East GloucesterPike, Barrington, N.J. and/or by Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. having officesat 511 School House Road, Telford, Pa. Although described as beinglocated on the side of the roll product 2014, the identification indicia2048 may be located at other locations on the product 2014 in accordancewith other exemplary embodiments.

The dispenser 2000 may be configured with a sensor 2020 that is made soas to physically contact the product 2014 in order to acquireidentification information therefrom. FIG. 40 shows an exemplaryembodiment of the dispenser 2000 in which the sensor 2020 includes aload cell 2052. The load cell 2052 may be a transducer that converts aload acting thereon into an electrical signal. This conversion may beobtained by the physical deformation of strain gages incorporated intothe load cell 2052 that may be arranged into a wheat stone bridgeconfiguration. Various types of load cells 2052 are known in the art andmay be selected for placement onto an arm 2006 of the dispenser 2000.Load cells 2052 manufactured by Omega Engineering Inc. having offices at1 Omega Drive, Stamford, Conn., may be used in accordance with one ormore exemplary embodiments.

The load cell 2052 may be a tactile sensor that is capable of detectingminute pressures on curved and angular surfaces. Such a load cell 2052is supplied by Pressure Profile Systems, Inc. having offices at 5757Century Blvd., Suite 600, Los Angles, Calif. Alternately, the load cell2052 may be a digital pressure sensor manufactured by Sensor TechnicsInc. having contacts at 896 Main Street, Walpole, Mass.

The sensor 2020 that incorporates a load cell 2052 may be used in orderto measure the weight of the product 2014 once placed into the dispenser2000. From the measured weight, the sensor 2020 may be capable ofindicating that a particular type of product 2014 is present in thedispenser 2000. For example, one particular type of product 2014 mayhave a weight that is known with a deviation from plus or minus 30grams. If the sensor 2020 detects a weight that is outside of the rangeof the known product 2014, the sensor 2020 will indicate that theproduct 2014 inserted into the dispenser 2000 is not the particular orknown product 2014. Should the weight of the product 2014 fall within aparticular known weight, the sensor 2020 may indicate that a particulartype of product 2014 is present to cause a particular dispensing code tobe initiated or to otherwise signal product identification for thevarious uses previously discussed. Further, in accordance with otherexemplary embodiments, the sensor 2020 may be configured for identifyingvarious types of products 2014 based upon their weight. For example,three or more different types of product 2014 may have three differentweights. By measuring the specific weight of the product 2014, thesensor 2020 will be capable of obtaining identification informationtherefrom.

The load cell 2052, apart from identifying the product 2014, may supplyweight information of the product 2014 to inform the user or monitor ofthe dispenser 2000 that the product 2014 is becoming depleted once theweight of the product 2014 is sensed to drop below a predeterminedlevel.

FIG. 41 shows an exemplary embodiment of the product 2014 with a core2016 that has a vibration element 2054 located on the inner surfacethereof that may be dispensed from the dispenser 2000 in FIG. 38. Thevibration element 2054 may be variously configured in accordance withdifferent exemplary embodiments. For example, the vibration element 2054may be a polymer that has a rough material, such as sand, distributedtherein. When applied to the inside surface of the core 2016 thevibration element 2054 will form a rough area that has some degree offriction associated therewith. In accordance with different exemplaryembodiments, the vibration element 2054 may be a series of notches,bumps or ridges that will impart vibration onto the arm 2006 of thedispenser 2000 during dispensing of the product 2014.

The sensor 2020 may be capable of detecting vibration so that when aparticular amount or degree of vibration is sensed, the sensor 2020 willassociate this vibration with a particular type of product 2014.Incorporation of the vibration elements 2054 into the interior of thecore 2016 may allow for the vibration produce by a particular product2014 to be distinguished from another, non recognized product. As may beunderstood, the vibration elements 2054 may be modified so thatdifferent vibrations are produced by dispensing so that the sensor 2020may be capable of measuring different vibrations in order to associatethese different vibrations with different types of products 2014 inorder to acquire identification information therefrom.

The vibration sensor 2020 may include a piezo electric element formonitoring vibrations. Such vibration sensors 2020 are known in the artand may be obtained from Crossbow Technology Inc. having offices locatedat 4145 N. 1^(st) Street, San Jose, Calif. The vibration sensor 2020 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment may be a series of low noise,high band width accelerometers that include one and three-axis piezoelectric vibration elements for monitoring vibration. A particularvibration will impart a particular electronic signal that may be used tocorrelate, by the sensor 2020 or other associated electronics withvibrations from known products 2014. Although described as having thevibration element 2054 imparted thereon in order to produce a desireddegree of vibration, it is to be understood that the vibration element2054 is not necessary in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.For example, the core 2016 of the product 2014 may be made so as to havea natural degree of vibration associated therewith from a particulartype of product 2014. This natural vibration of the product 2014 may bedifferentiated from other types of product 2014 so that identificationinformation may be acquired.

Product identification information obtained by the dispenser 2000 may beused to provide a particular dispensing code to the dispenser 2000 thatis tailored to the particular type of product 2014 present.Additionally, product identification information of the product 2014 maybe used in the various systems as previously described, such as forinstance a remote network that may employ a washroom monitoring station1040 in order to monitor product 2014 usage.

The dispenser 2000 may operate in essentially the same manner aspreviously discussed with respect to FIG. 4. However, instead ofemploying the scanner 60 to read a smart tag 62 to identify informationrelating to the sheet material 12, the sensor 2020 may be configured inorder to obtain product information in any way previously described withrespect to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 35-41. Oncesubstituted in place of the scanner 60, the resulting system may operatein the same way as previously described with respect to the operation inFIG. 4.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

1. An apparatus for dispensing of a product, comprising: a dispenserconfigured for dispensing of the product; and a sensor in communicationwith an electrical circuit carried by said dispenser, said sensorconfigured for detecting identification information about the productwhen said electrical circuit is completed by the product placed in-linein the circuit such that the product is a component of the electricalcircuit; wherein said identification information comprises informationthat distinguishes one type of product from another.
 2. The apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor is a dispenser sensor unit,and further comprising: a data communications unit in communication withsaid dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving identificationinformation from said dispenser sensor unit; and a washroom monitoringstation in communication with said data communications unit andconfigured for receiving identification information from said datacommunications unit.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said dispenser has a support configured to rotatably support a roll ofthe product and to receive a core of the product, and wherein saidelectrical circuit has a pair of first contacts for receiving aconductive element on the core of the product so as to complete saidelectrical circuit.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein:said electrical circuit has a pair of second contacts for receiving aconductive element on the core of the product so as to complete saidelectrical circuit; and said electrical circuit has a pair of thirdcontacts for receiving a conductive element on the core of the productso as to complete said electrical circuit.
 5. The apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein: said dispenser has a support configured torotatably support a roll of the product and to receive a core of theproduct, and wherein said support is a pair of arms that are configuredto extend into either end of the core of the product, and wherein eachof said arms has a conductive element of said electrical circuit locatedthereon configured for engaging a metal coating on the inside of thecore so as to complete said electrical circuit.
 6. The apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein: said dispenser has a support configured torotatably support a roll of the product and to receive a cardboard coreof the product, and wherein said support is a pair of arms that areconfigured to extend into either end of the core of the product, andwherein each of said arms has a conductive element of said electricalcircuit located thereon configured for engaging an electricallyconductive adhesive applied to the cardboard core so as to complete saidelectrical circuit.
 7. An apparatus for dispensing of a product,comprising: a dispenser configured for dispensing of a product; a sensorcarried by said dispenser and configured for optically detectingidentification information about the product generated when the productis received by said dispenser for dispensing, the identificationinformation comprising information the that distinguishes one type ofproduct from another; and wherein said sensor is a dispenser sensorunit, and further comprising: a data communications unit incommunication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured forreceiving identification information from said dispenser sensor unit;and a washroom monitoring station in communication with said datacommunications unit and configured for receiving identificationinformation from said data communications unit.
 8. An apparatus fordispensing of a product, comprising: a dispenser configured fordispensing of a product; a sensor carried by said dispenser andconfigured for optically detecting identification information about theproduct generated when the product is received by said dispenser fordispensing, the identification information comprising information thatdistinguishes one type of product from another; and wherein: saiddispenser has a support configured to rotatably support a roll of theproduct and to receive a core of the product, and wherein said sensor isconfigured for optically detecting identification information located onthe side of the roll.
 9. An apparatus for dispensing of a washroomproduct, comprising: a dispenser configured for dispensing of aconsumable washroom product, said dispenser comprising a housing havinga space defined therein for rotatable support of a roll of a consumablewashroom product, and a dispensing opening through which the product isdispensed from said housing; an olfactory sensor carried by saiddispenser and configured for detecting a smell associated with theproduct so as to acquire identification information about the product;the identification information comprising information that distinguishesone type of product from another; and a roll of consumable washroomproduct having an odor applied thereto for detection by said olfactorysensor, said roll rotatably supported within said housing.
 10. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said roll of product has acardboard core that has glue applied thereto having an odor fordetection by said olfactory sensor.
 11. An apparatus for dispensing of aproduct, comprising: a dispenser configured for dispensing of theproduct; an olfactory sensor carried by said dispenser and configuredfor detecting a smell associated with the product so as to acquireidentification information about the product, the identificationinformation comprising information that distinguishes one type ofproduct from another; and wherein said sensor is a dispenser sensorunit, and further comprising: a data communications unit incommunication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured forreceiving identification information from said dispenser sensor unit;and a washroom monitoring station in communication with said datacommunications unit and configured for receiving identificationinformation from said data communications unit.
 12. An apparatus fordispensing of a product, comprising: a dispenser configured fordispensing of the product; a sensor carried by said dispenser andconfigured for physically contacting the product so as to detectidentification information carried by the product when the product isreceived by said dispenser for dispensing, the identificationinformation comprising information that distinguishes one type ofproduct from another; and wherein said dispenser has a supportconfigured to rotatably support a roll of the product, and wherein saidsensor is a load cell configured for physically contacting the productand for detecting the weight of the product so as to acquireidentification information of the product.
 13. An apparatus fordispensing of a product, comprising: a dispenser configured fordispensing of the product; and a sensor carried by said dispenser andconfigured for detecting vibration caused by relative movement of theproduct with respect to said dispenser so as to detect identificationinformation about the product; wherein said dispenser has a supportconfigured to rotatably support a roll of the product and to receive acore of the product, and wherein said sensor detects vibration of theroll during dispensing so as to acquire identification information ofthe product, the identification information comprising information thatdistinguishes one type of product from another.
 14. The apparatus as setforth in claim 13, wherein said dispenser has a support configured torotatably support a roll of the product and to receive a core of theproduct, and wherein the product induces vibration by vibration elementson the core during dispensing.
 15. An apparatus for dispensing of aproduct, comprising: a dispenser configured for dispensing of theproduct; and a sensor carried by said dispenser and configured fordetecting vibration caused by relative movement of the product withrespect to said dispenser so as to detect identification informationabout the product, the identification information comprising informationthat distinguishes one type of product from another; wherein said sensoris a dispenser sensor unit, and further comprising: a datacommunications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit andconfigured for receiving identification information from said dispensersensor unit; and a washroom monitoring station in communication withsaid data communications unit and configured for receivingidentification information from said data communications unit.